Dametto says odds show KAP support

HINCHINBROOK MP Nick Dametto is the odds-on favourite to win re-election at this month’s state election, according to betting markets.

The Katter’s Australian Party MP is paying just $1.12 for a victory, while the LNP’S candidate, Scott Piper, is the only politician who seems to be mounting a serious campaign to dethrone Mr Dametto, well back on $6.50.

Labor candidate Paul Jacob is offering odds of $18, United Australia Party’s Aurelio Mason $34, and conservative independent candidate Jen Sackley $51.

Carolyn Mewing, from the Greens, has only just announced her candidacy, her first, but is a rank outsider given the party garnered just 3.2 per cent of f the vote in 2017.

Mr Dametto ( p i c t u r e d ) , speaking to the T o w n s v i l l e Bulletin in Cardwell on Sunday, said the odds also showed healthy leads for party leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter, and Hill MP Shane Knuth.

“I think it shows that people are pretty supportive of what we’ve been doing,” he said.

“We’re a force not only to be reckoned with but aren’t going to be moved in this state election.”

He said polls did not tell the full story, but gambling and betting companies knew what they were doing.

Despite strong showings for the three KAP incumbents, the odds do not indicate the rightwing party will pick up any additional seats in its bid to hold the balance of power after the elections.

KAP had been actively targeting Thuringowa on an anticrime platform but is well behind Labor, LNP and even One Nation, its candidate Julianne Wood to pay out $51 if she secures a seat.

But Mr Dametto remained upbeat and pointed to Cook and Warrego where the KAP candidate was paying $9.50 and “it’s only a two-horse race at the moment”.

“You never know what the tide is going to bring in: I remember when I first put my hand up for election in 2017, I started at $24, $25 and I came down to about $6.50 so anything can happen over the next four weeks,” he said.

“Nothing is a sure bet or a sure thing but I’ll be continuing to make sure that my margins tighten up, actually.”

The Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce will hold a Candidate Debate Forum at the Ingham Picture Theatre from 6pm on Thursday.