Candidates go head-to-head at election forum
A POLITICAL forum in the Kennedy electorate ahead of the federal election was enlivened by a fringe “conspiracy theorist” and a candidate’s response that left incumbent MP Bob Katter holding his head in his hands.
After candidate introductions and responses to questions from members of the audience gathered at the Kelly Theatre in Hinchinbrook on Thursday, the four candidates were asked their thoughts on the controversial proposed Ingham Bypass.
The Kennedy incumbent said he was “tenaciously opposed” to the project, which would see traffic on the Bruce Highway diverted west of Ingham and the Hinchinbrook Shire’s coastal townships.
The Katter’s Australian Party MP said that since he had removed himself from the constraints of the National Party he had enjoyed being able to “bash” the major political parties for policies that were detrimental to his constituents.
“When I got out I could inflict pain and that’s how we got the results, so if the government wishes to build that bypass then you watch out and look at my reputation,” he said.
“You attempt to do that bypass and there will be hell to pay.”
Despite the rhetoric, LNP candidate Bryce Macdonald, a former Cassowary Coast deputy mayor, said towns up and down the Bruce Highway were “designed to bypass”, including Ingham and Cardwell, as was the case with Innisfail.
“When it happens, and it probably will happen …,” Mr Macdonald said before Mr Katter slapped his forehead and interrupted.
“No it won’t, no it won’t, I’m sorry, it’s not going to happen.”
Mr Macdonald said the bypass must be planned to ensure access to Ingham and the Lower Herbert was not impeded.
Labor Party candidate Jason Brandon, a mining industry health and safety executive, confessed he knew little about the bypass.
“If the bypass does happen, and it makes sense to me as a health and safety person, I am always concerned about big trucks going through a major centre,” he said.
He said if the bypass eventuated, then Ingham needed to be “set up so it doesn’t fail”, including ensuring tourism was not impacted.
United Australia Party candidate Peter Campion, a retired firefighter who had earlier conceded that some considered him a “conspiracy theorist” and launched into a series of extraordinary claims.
He also highlighted his experience from Cairns.
“I’ll tell you what, the Cairns CBD now is a ghost town, it smells like urine, there are piles of drunk, wrecked, drunken criminals sleeping in doorways with piles of urine and faeces laying around,” he said.
Independent candidate Jen Sackley and Queensland Greens candidate Jennifer Cox were not present.