Knuth’s shot at absurd denials

KATTER’S Australian Party has slammed the State Government’s “business as usual” approach to crocodile management in the North as they hold out hope the Opposition will back their removal plan.

Hill MP Shane Knuth said yesterday the Government was in denial about the croc problem in North Queensland.

“Back in 2010, there was a 177 reported sightings, now there’s 677 sightings ( in 2017),” Mr Knuth said.

“It is an absolute disgrace that the Government can come out and say the reason for this was because people are reporting croc sightings more than what they did back five years ago.”

Mr Knuth said there was a “massive croc infestation problem” in the region and accused the Government of “doing nothing.” “I just cannot believe that the Government would come out and say there’s only one croc per kilometre,” he said.

“This is why we’re putting the Safer Waterways Bill ( forward) … it sets up an authority that manages crocs and any croc that is in freshwater, public boat ramps, or public places must be removed within 48 hours.”

Mr Knuth was “hopeful” the LNP would consider backing his party’s Safer Waterways Bill in Parliament.

“I am very happy to hear that the LNP Jason Costigan, Member for Whitsunday has come out and said he was going to support our Safer Waterways Bill,” he said.

Mr Knuth said the North needed to “claim back” its waterways for the region’s quality of life and broader lifestyle.

“The people of North Queensland, we don’t have big massive buildings and big sports stadiums but what we do have is our fresh waterways, our lakes our seas and it is something that we enjoy,” he said.