Queensland election 2015: Katter's Australian Party releases demands for minority government support

Extract from ABC News

By Kym Agius and Matt Watson

Updated about an hour ago Tue 10 Feb 2015, 7:44am 

Photo: (L-R) KAP MPs Shane Knuth and Rob Katter say their support hinges on 28 policies. (Facebook: Katter's Australian Party)

Related Story: Palaszczuk to seek Governor's permission to form government by Wednesday

Map: QLD

The two Katter's Australian Party (KAP) MPs have released their demands if the Labor Party or the Liberal National Party (LNP) want their support to form a minority government.

Rob Katter and Shane Knuth want 28 policies agreed to, including a bat cull in populated areas and the abolition of public servant sackings.
They also want a commission of inquiry into government corruption, statutory marketing for milk and sugar, and six road projects.
Mr Katter hoped to see how well the two major parties aligned with the points, which would form the basis of their decision.
"It's no surprise we represent rural and regional areas that have been forgotten," Mr Katter said.
Mr Knuth said mass public service sackings over the years by both previous governments had a ripple effect on regional communities.
"Our towns are dying, we value these jobs for the survival of rural and regional areas," he said.

Palaszczuk to seek minority government

Labor leader Annastacia Palaszczuk plans to visit Governor Paul de Jersey by the end of Wednesday to ask permission to form a minority government with independent Peter Wellington.

Some KAP demands:

• 100 per cent fly-in, fly-out mining to be banned
• Freehold title deeds for 'first Australians'
• Abolition of public service sackings
• All towns without a high school be provided with year 7 as a minimum
• Six new regional roads
• Three-year funding commitments for road works
• Allow the Mt Isa copper smelter to continue operating
• Enhanced royalties for regions program
• Party status returned for party's with two or more members
• Implement Galilee Rail line
• Statutory milk and sugar marketing
• Remove flying foxes from populated areas

A small number of seats are undeclared, but Ms Palaszczuk said Labor was on track to win the two it needs - Ferny Grove and Maryborough.
Labor will ask for power even though the result in Ferny Grove is in dispute.
Counting wraps up today, with seats expected to be declared by this evening.
Palmer United Party candidate for Ferny Grove Mark Taverner, who has so far received 1,000 votes, was found to be an undischarged bankrupt therefore ineligible to run in the seat.
The Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) announced on Sunday it would refer the northern Brisbane seat to the Court of Disputed Returns after the seat was declared.
The court will then determine whether to order a by-election.
The LNP looked likely to win 42 seats, and would need to secure Ferny Grove in a by-election and the support of the two KAP MPs to win power.

Any by-election two months away

The ECQ said if a by-election was needed in Ferny Grove, it would not be held until April.
Labor leads the LNP by 414 votes after preferences in the electorate.
ECQ spokeswoman Yvette Zischke said an investigation into Ferny Grove would not begin until the electoral writ was returned to the Governor on March 11.
The soonest possible date for a by-election is 26 days after the return of the writ.

That means a by-election could not be held until April 11.