Dametto firm on funding support

HINCHINBROOK MP Nick Dametto has detailed his list of commitments set to deliver growth for the electorate, saying Queensland faces a likely hung parliament after this year’s election.

Mr Dametto said both major parties had neglected Hinchinbrook for too long and would need to work “extremely hard” to gain his support if Katter’s Australian Party were in a position of power after the October 31 election.

“The LNP have spruiked funding for a list of projects like all-tidal access for Cardwell, Lucinda and Forrest Beach, which I have lobbied strongly for during this term,” he said.

“But they will need to be fully funded to get my support.

“Likewise, I want to see the Paluma to Wallaman Falls eco-trail and Cardwell’s mountain bike trails developed, the expansion of the First Home Owners’ Grant to include existing homes in regional areas and the retention of our youth locally through training and building on new industries.”

Mr Dametto said with polls indicating a likely hung parliament, “this puts KAP in the hot seat to negotiate a large chunk of the state’s funding pie”.

In addition to the Ingham Hospital upgrade, Mr Dametto said he would be seeking support for the KAP’S bill to repeal Labor’s reef regulations, the repeal of the latest amendments to the vegetation management legislation and state funding for crop diversification such as grain silos in the Herbert River District.

“To help reduce input costs for farming, I’ll be demanding that the state cut water tariffs by 25 per cent for farmers, which would add up to $220m to the Queensland economy over the next four years, and invest in the North Queensland Bio Energy sugar mill that would provide local jobs and help return more of the profits back to our region,” he said.

LNP candidate Scott Piper said Mr Dametto’s non-negotiables were just another “wish list for the Katter party”.

“Unfortunately, the balance of power, there is more of a chance of a unicorn landing on Bohle Bridge and a bit of a slap in the face of the community to put that out there,” Mr Piper said.

“As we know, history shows that if they do (vote for KAP) it’ll be Labor in power again and Labor has already ignored the Hinchinbrook area for the last five years so what’s going to change?

“Non-negotiables can come but it’s a big ask for the community to put their faith in it.”

He said his list was made up of commitments, not just nonnegotiables.

Retired Ingham mill worker Brian Lynch at the resting place of his great uncle, WWI veteran James Simpson at the Old Ingham Cemetery yesterday morning. Picture: CAMERON BATES

A MAN in hospital with serious head injuries after a badly bungled Hinchinbrook home invasion, is one of four people charged in relation to the dangerous debacle.

Detective Senior Constable Macushla-anne Pattinson, of the Ingham Criminal Investigation Branch, said the four alleged offenders had been charged with entering a dwelling with intent, a serious charge that carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

She said in addition, two had been charged with assaults occasioning bodily harm and two with common assault.

One of the offenders has been dealt with under the Youth Justice Act, with three adults scheduled to appear in the Ingham Magistrates Court on October 29.

A man in his 20s was flown from Ingham to Townsville in a serious but stable condition after the alleged incident at a house in Lannercost Street, Ingham on August 2.

The man’s injuries were so severe he was initially put in the intensive care unit.