Bob Katter backs $2m direction to restore the Mount Isa Rodeo

Bob Katter agrees with the State Government’s decision to give $2m in state funding to a local council to restore its major rodeo event. Not everyone is convinced.

Mount Isa Rodeo 2024 - Bob Holder, 93, and Tate Smith, 9, competing in the team roping at the Mount Isa Rodeo in 2024. Picture by Luke Marsden.

Maverick North Queensland MP Bob Katter has backed a $2m bailout to future-proof the Mount Isa Rodeo and believes it needs to stay out of the hands of administrators – who are firmly pursuing debt following insolvency of the company behind the major event.

Last week the State Government declared the funding would be redirected from a $20m transition fund aimed to bolster the city’s economy as it faces 1200 Glencore job losses, and gave it directly to the Mount Isa City Council.

Administrator SV Partners director Michael Brennan was angered by the decision but Mr Katter said it was the right decision for the council to be in charge of the funding, which was seeking to give $1m to creditors.

Those in debt include stock suppliers and small businesses, volunteer based community groups, and performance artists and even rodeo clowns.

“Council pledged half of those funds to the Mount Isa Rodeo’s administrators while keeping the rest for other economic development activities,” Mr Katter said.

Federal MP Bob Katter alongside Peter Dutton at the 2024 Mount Isa Rodeo. Picture: Luke Marsden

“The rodeo administrators have since caused some controversy, saying all $2m should be allocated to the rodeo, when in reality, council has a responsibility to the entire community as the copper mine’s closure draws near.

“When you’ve got local, state and federal government agreeing on something, that’s saying something worth paying attention to.”

There appear to be two clear solutions in order for the rodeo to return for its 66th year next August, which is either to pay off owed debt to creditors and save the existing rodeo board structure, or to create a new community based rodeo.

Mount Isa Mayor Peta MacRae and Minister for Tourism Andrew Powell in Mount Isa speaking about the $2m in funding being given to help save the Mount Isa Rodeo.

The council established a community committee aimed at creating a new direction for the rodeo, which includes former rodeo ambassador Tony ‘Tonka’ Toholke, outfitter Hannah Hacon, grazier Marcus Curr, and Great Northern Rodeo Series founder Mark Thompson.

Mount Isa ex-Mayor Danielle Slade criticised the committee and the individuals that made it by describing it as a “friendship group”, claiming there could be conflicts of interests and ties to the rodeo board that needed addressing.

“Our rodeo deserves transparency and fairness, free from personal connections and conflicts of interest,” she said.

Former Mount Isa Mayor Danielle Slade said she had concerns about the establishment of a new rodeo committee.

“I look forward to hearing any facts that counter my claims, but this situation is troubling for our Mount Isa.”

But even if a new community based rodeo was developed administrator Mr Brennan warns it would consider it responsible for the debt of the former rodeo board, labelling it a “phoenix company”.

“The use of a phoenix company to operate a business, or stage an event, that is owned by another party is illegal on multiple fronts,” Mr Brennan said.

Administrator SV Partners director Michael Brennan was determined to recover full costs for his creditors.

“When you use someone else’s assets without paying for them it is theft, plain and simple. Ultimately theft is theft.

“I am sure that the community expectation is that the law is followed.

“The community has certainly been very vocal about that when they thought that the past board broke the law, it cuts both ways.”

Originally published as Bob Katter backs $2m direction to restore the Mount Isa Rodeo