MPs want board set up
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CROSSBENCHERS are threatening to block the state Budget unless the Government creates a “budget equity board” to ensure North Queensland gets its fair share.
Katter’s Australian Party MPs Shane Knuth and Robbie Katter further called on the Government to commit to reducing unemployment in the state’s North to 6 per cent by 2020 and to immediately quarantine all uncommitted money in the State Infrastructure Fund to the region.
That pool is estimated to be more than $1 billion.
“This is not about blocking the Budget, this is about nego- tiating,” Mr Knuth said.
“If the Government cares about North Queensland and its future, it will see that only positive can come out of creating the budget equity board.”
Independent Cairns MP Rob Pyne, Member for Cook Billy Gordon and One Nation member for Buderim Steve Dickson have all indicated they would back the action if the Government would not come to the negotiating table.
The crossbenchers do have the parliamentary numbers to exercise real influence.
“Queensland is the only unicameral government in the country,” Mr Pyne said.
“Each other government has to negotiate in good faith to pass its Budget through the Upper House.
“Just because we don’t have an upper house doesn’t absolve the Government of the responsibility of negotiating.”