KAP warning on asset sales

THE Katter’s Australian Party has warned against using asset sales to relieve the Queensland Government of its near $100 billion in debt.

Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto joined with KAP hopefuls Julianne Wood, Alannah Tomlinson and Josh Schwartz outside Townsville Port to drive home the message that North Queensland assets, including Townsville Port and 1300SMILES Stadium, were not for sale.

Mr Dametto said they were expecting to hold the balance of power at the next election, promising to draw a line in the sand.

“There’s a lot of questions being asked right now about what the State Government and what future state governments plan to do with 1300SMILES Stadium,” he said.

“This was a property donated to the people of Queensland, originally used by harness racing and horse sports … and now Queenslanders have the right to know: What are the plans for 1300SMILES?

“Divvying it up and making a profit out of it shouldn’t be the major concerns of governments right now; they should be trying to figure out how to turn this asset back to Queenslanders.”

Mundingburra MP Aaron Harper said there had been no decision made about the future of 1300SMILES Stadium.

“Stadiums Queensland has said its current focus is on maintaining the complex so that the North Queensland Cowboys can continue to train while its Community Training and High Performance Centre is constructed,” Mr Harper said.

“There is a significant interest in the site and detailed proposals have been provided to government.

“What I see is potential investment, more jobs and more local development.”