SECESSION CALL GOES TO PUBLIC NQ region ‘ feels ignored by south’
CHANGES to Queensland’s electoral map have reopened the debate on a new state for the North, with politicians calling for the public to speak up about their representation.
Northern Australia Minister Senator Matt Canavan said he personally supported the idea of secession.
“My views are well known and I’ve supported a new state in the past,” he said.
“But it’s not government policy nor should it be. It has to come from the people.
“The constitution has different sections that refer to the creation of new states.”
Senator Canavan said feedback from the public was the best way to change the electoral map. “Senators and MPs spend most of their time looking after their electorates,” he said.
“We’re often too busy working through the issues of the day and that’s where the media and business can play a part.
“If this is something people are passionate about they write letters and look for change.”
Charters Towers Mayor Liz Schmidt said the Queensland Redistribution Commission’s recommendation to abolish the seat of Dalrymple did nothing to quell the debate for a new state. “I’m giving it more and more thought since the redistribution,” she said.
“But I am reluctant to support any duplication of the bureaucracy and the resultant cost to the community. I am however despairing of the lack of representation in the North.”
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said she was surprised by many of the electorate changes impacting the city and understood why voters would be upset.
“It highlights why people in North Queensland feel ignored by decision makers in the south,” she said.
“Instead of rectifying the problem, the latest distribution means the Northern Beaches are now sharing an MP with Ingham and those on our southern borders will be dominated by canegrowers and miners.
“No one wants to see us go back to the gerrymanders of the past but obviously what we do want is fair representation.”
Cr Hill said the boundaries seemed to be based along existing council areas.
‘ That might make it easier for the commission but it makes it harder in terms of representation,” he said.
“How does a representative out near Bowen accurately understand what our southern suburbs need?
“We’ll look to make a submission to the Queensland Redistribution Commission and we urge residents to do so themselves. “That’s the only way they can make the commission adjust the boundaries.”