February 19, 2016
KAP members Rob Katter and Shane Knuth have defended their decision to side with the State Government this week and reject proposals to grant Community Liquor Permit exemptions for campdrafts.
The decision drew criticism yesterday from Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington and Member for Gympie Tony Perrett.
Mr Katter and Mr Knuth said they were committed to helping all regional community events, and hoped to engage with the LNP on the matter in the future.
They said they continued to seek an open dialogue with the LNP to “achieve collaborative results like those previously achieved with the Sugar Marketing Bill”.
“We have two years left of this Parliament, so we want to work together for actual outcomes,” Mr Katter said.
“Members like Deb Frecklington can approach us on issues like the recent Campdraft Exemption, or they can continue with the cloak and dagger charades and speak out only after the event.
“While I understand the intentions of the Member, I had hoped they would try harder than a $63.50 CLP exemption to assist rural and regional Queensland.
“At the end of the day the we prefer to go further for all regional events while addressing the 15.5 per cent unemployment rate in Western Queensland,” he said.
KAP Member for Dalrymple Shane Knuth said Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg had continued to work collaboratively with the KAP to put forward meaningful legislation.
“We appreciate his commitment to co-operation and hope other LNP members can come together with the crossbench to advance issues for rural and regional Queensland,” Mr Knuth said.
“As we have always said, if the LNP really care about rural and regional Queensland, we are happy to work with them through this tight Parliament.”
“Let’s put politics to the side and see what we can do for all regional events and communities.”
- Related article: KAP Cuts Out Campdrafts
