Katter Takes Fight For Future Power To Coalface

KAP Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter spoke in the heartland of Queensland’s coal coastline last week to fight for the future of affordable electricity and a strong economy.

With Hay Point’s coal loading facility as the backdrop, Mr Katter said he is sick and tired of other parties spitting on the coal industry which delivers $110B per year to the Australian economy.

“If you want to buy a pair of shoes, food for your table, live the dream of owning your own home, the money for that comes from coal and iron ore,” Mr Katter said.

“This country has been carried in the coal truck for 70-odd years now.

“If you work in the coal industry, or benefit from the coal industry, for heaven’s sake, have the guts to stand up for coal.”

Mr Katter said businesses who publicly denounce coal and advocate for solar are taking Australian jobs and exporting them to China.

“Every time you put glass on your roof, you take a job off an Australian and send that job to China,” he said.

“600 million people are without electricity in India. They need coal, they don’t have space for glass.”

Mr Katter said that the coal-fired power plants of the future emit far less CO2 than previously and spoke of technology to use the CO2 emitted to cultivate algae, a protein-rich food source for farmers.

“The future of coal is very bright when you look at the research being conducted in using CO2 to grow algae.

“You need to have a lot of flat land, in North Queensland, we have heaps of flat land. Due west from Mackay, there’s desert upland, there’s water and it’s as flat as a billiard table. There’s about 10,000 square kilometres.

“Plenty of land, plenty of water and plenty of coal. Feeding the CO2 to the algae, zero emissions. Zero emissions. You can’t say there’s zero emissions in producing that silicone for your roof.

“Producing electricity from a modern coal-fired power station with the algae ponds, zero emissions.

“Algae is 23 per cent protein. In the cattle industry, you’d cry for 23 per cent protein. Anyone can cut grass, but it lacks protein.

“The future of coal is bright, black and shiny.”

Mr Katter also spoke of the cost of renewables, saying it would further widen the wealth gap.

“Think of the poor old pensioners, they’re going to be the ones paying double for their electricity to subsidise the rich people who could afford solar,” he said.

Katter also said he is looking for a strong federal candidate to take on the seat of Dawson, saying discussions with George Christensen hadn’t come to fruition.

“I think he has made a terrible mistake,” Mr Katter said.

“He could win this seat running for us.

“We’re determined to move forward in this seat (of Dawson). We dipped out by two seats to get the balance of power in the last election. Two seats.

“Behind the scenes we’re making great strides. We’re very strong in some seats.

“We will get the balance of power, and when we do, you can start counting the days to when we get our own state for North Queensland.”

Katter Party Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter and former Katter Party candidate for Whitsunday Ciaron Patterson at Hay Point. Photos: Amanda Wright

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