Queensland election: Katter’s vote deal ‘a recipe for chaos’

The preference swap between Katter’s Australian Party and Pauline Hanson’s One Nation has intensified the election battle in north Queensland.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

The preference swap between Katter’s Australian Party and Pauline Hanson’s One Nation has intensified the election battle in north Queensland where both Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington have spent the first few days of the campaign.

The conservative minor parties will list each other second on how-to-vote cards distributed to voters on October 31.

Senator Hanson also ruled out working with Labor to form government in the event of a hung parliament.

KAP leader Robbie Katter said the preference deal reflected the “failure” of Labor and the LNP in regional Queensland and the LNP’s decision to preference the Greens ahead of Labor.

“We can’t risk the Greens grabbing a seat — it’s a major threat to the future of north Queensland,” he said.

“Stronger minor parties means politicians have to actually fight for your vote in order to make a difference.”

Senator Hanson said her preference deal with KAP would intensify the election focus on regional Queensland: “Regional Queenslanders are crying out for proper representation at this election and if the Katter’s can help One Nation secure seats and vice versa, that will be a significant win for the regions, particularly those in the western and northern parts of the state.”

Both leaders reminded voters that their how-to-vote cards were only a guide and encouraged voters to list parties in their own preferred order.

The deal could prove critical in marginal seats such as Thuringowa, which Labor sources said was under threat by the LNP and KAP.

Both Ms Palaszczuk and Ms Frecklington spent Thursday night in Townsville where Labor is desperate to hold three crucial seats (Townsville on 0.38 per cent, Mundingburra on 1.13 per cent, and Thuringowa on 4.15 per cent).

Ms Palaszczuk said the preference swap was a “recipe for chaos”.

“What we’re seeing is, once again, a recipe for chaos in this state — let me say to Queenslanders one more time: I’m asking for a majority,” she said.