"A better understanding of regional Queensland issues" is the assessment that has led the pro-shooting lobby group that represents the interests of more than 200,000 licenced firearms users in Queensland to once again throw its support behind Katter's Australian Party in the upcoming state election.
Shooters Union this week launched its 2020 Queensland election campaign with national president Graham Park urging all shooters to put KAP first on the ballot paper if they had a candidate in their electorate.
Where KAP is not running a candidate, the lobby group is suggesting Pauline Hanson's One Nation or a pro-gun local independent candidate as the 'vote one' choice.
Only Gympie's LNP MP, opposition agriculture spokesman Tony Perrett received support from the Shooters Union, thanks to his decision to cross the floor of parliament just prior to the 2017 state election when the LNP sided with the government in not supporting KAP's disallowance motion on the recategorisation of lever action shotguns.
This week's announcement essentially means the Flick'em - Put the Majors Last campaign promoted by the lobby group at the last state election is in play again.
Mr Park claimed that had resulted in the lowest major party primary vote in Queensland history, and had cost the ALP and LNP more than $1m each in electoral funding.
"Parties and candidates receive money from the Australian Electoral Commission for every primary vote received," he said, adding that the last election showed up to 30 per cent of the electorate hadn't voted for major parties as their first choice.
"People are most likely to vote for the LNP second, and get a result, but what this does is send a message," Mr Park said.
"The best government for regional Queensland would be a minority government backed by a party that understands regional Queensland.
"Over the years, KAP have shown themselves to be friends not only to shooters but to regional and rural Australia as well.
"The LNP has some excellent regional MPs, but it's driven ideologically with a Brisbane-centric view."
Opposition agriculture spokesman Tony Perrett said as demonstrated in 2017, a vote for a minor party was a vote for a re-elected Labor government.
"With the worst unemployment rate in the nation, the last thing workers and businesses can afford is another four years of Labor," he said.
"The LNP fought to reopen licensed armourers and dealers after they were unfairly closed by the government during the COVID lockdowns.
"The LNP understands agriculture and will always stand up for the rights of law abiding licensed firearms owners like farmers, feral pest-controllers and recreational shooters who need access to essential tools to do their job."
Mr Park said he didn't disagree with any of that, but the last time major firearms legislation went through parliament, the LNP, with the exception of Mr Perrett, sided with the ALP.
"KAP policies offer specific, workable reforms to the current mess that is firearms regulation in Queensland, and they have shown they are willing to act and vote on those issues," he said. "LNP policies by contrast offer niceties but zero practical reform."
In September 2017 the LNP, after behind-the-scenes negotiations failed, decided not to support a KAP motion for primary producers to have "as of right" access to category H weapons that saw it voted down.
Mr Park stressed that the Shooters Union's greatest concern was if the ALP retained government after the October 31 poll.
"This election is different to the last one, in that whoever forms government is in for four years," he said.
"The ALP has shown utter contempt for regional Queensland overall, and it's more important than ever to show we're fed up.
"We are also saying, second preference the LNP.
"KAP is more likely to take seats from the ALP in North Queensland."
KAP currently has three MPs, party leader Robbie Katter (Traeger), Shane Knuth (Hill), and Nick Dametto (Hinchinbrook).
Except for the electorates of Warrego, held by the LNP's Ann Leahy, and Whitsunday, held by NQFirst leader Jason Costigan, all other seats that KAP has a candidate in are held by Labor.
They are Cook, Mulgrave, Mundingburra (MP Coralie O'Rourke is stepping down at the election), Rockhampton, Thuringowa, and Townsville.
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
