Katter's Australian Party

Shane Knuth’s Weekend Wrap 🤠

From enjoying a beautiful fresh morning at the Mission Beach Markets and catching up with Rodney and Sommer Garner from Innisfail, along with Lissy and Joey from the Mission Beach Scouts, to supporting local rugby league at the Tully Tigers v Mareeba Gladiators clash alongside Peter Di Bella, Michael Jones and Anthony Emmi.

Whether it’s community groups, local events, markets or grassroots sport, it’s always great to get out and about meeting the people who make our region such a special place to live.

MEDIA RELEASE - Bob Katter

Turn tables on ‘man slaughter’ after sharks kill 3 in 3 weeks

8 June 2026: After the third horrific death in as many weeks of another spearfisher mauled by a shark this weekend, Federal North Queensland MP Bob Katter has demanded government scientists and fisheries officials start prioritising human life over protection of maneaters by helping to restore Australian shark fisheries which play an integral role in balanced management of shared marine environments - amid escalating reports of exploding populations and aggressive depredation at epidemic levels in recreational hotspots.

Leading calls for an immediate cull and regulatory reform following a Far North Queensland spearfisher’s tragic death on 24 May the weekend after a Western Australian spearfisher was killed at a holiday island off Perth Mr Katter said anecdotal reports of record negative interactions ranged from the southern states’ massive maneaters to the notoriously aggressive ‘bull’ sharks infesting Queensland’s fresh and saltwater playgrounds.

Extending his condolences to another family in mourning and the south-western community left reeling from Australia’s third fatal shark attack on divers in three weekends, Mr Katter was the only MP to speak in Federal Parliament last week on the back-to-back loss of lives condemning the “criminal stupidity” of the “fascist-like arrogance and fairytale land imposed on us by the greenies and wokies, and the Liberals and Labor going down the same path” in enabling bureaucrats to tip the natural and regulatory balance in favour of deadly predators.

“You, whose shoe leather has never set foot off a concrete pavement, are telling us how nature should operate in North Queensland… telling people who have lived up there for 40,000 years what we can and can't do,” asked an incredulous Mr Katter. “You think it’s a good idea that sharks can eat us, but we cannot eat them? It’s a rather quaint notion! But I'll tell you what: they're pretty hostile towards you. I don't recommend you go there.”

Demanding the reversal of regulatory bans and barriers on Australia’s shark fisheries to help restore ecological balance and deliver a sustainable food source, Mr Katter said North Queensland businesses and residents had warned the Kennedy electorate offices and his fellow North Queensland State MP for Hill, Shane Knuth, of endemic levels of bull shark depredation for the past two decades destroying industry and public confidence.

“Many tourism and fishing advocates in the community have approached us with concerns that little or nothing is being done to protect our communities as a consequence of these attacks,” he said. “Now for reasons we don't fully understand, and we're working on that now there’s been an explosion in shark numbers. So we’re asking for advice from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, CSIRO and State Fisheries, about what they’re doing right now for Queensland and other coastal communities around the country; and what they intend to do in the future, about the exponential depredation on spearfishers’ and line catches, alongside the increasing mortality rates and negative interactions that are leaving people reluctant to get in the water.

“We want to know what can be done and what is being done in other international jurisdictions to provide community confidence that recreational activities can continue and put ‘fish on the table’ rather than leave ‘fish heads in the boat’ from shark depredation. We used to have thriving fisheries to manage these waters but successive governments allowing ideology to override reality are squarely to blame for these terrifying deaths.”

CSIRO Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

YOU CAN’T HAVE A CRITICAL MINERALS BOOM WITHOUT COPPERSTRING.

The North West Minerals Province is being talked about globally again for its copper, uranium and critical minerals potential.

But none of it reaches full value if we can’t properly power the region.

I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it, CopperString is the key that unlocks the North West.

That’s why I’ve urged the Premier to demand Canberra jointly fund the connection of Mount Isa to the National Electricity Market.

Without that certainty, investment decisions will stall, projects will be shelved, and the North West will continue to struggle despite sitting on one of the richest mineral provinces in the world.

But while the world moves fast, Queensland keeps moving slow.

If governments are serious about critical minerals and regional jobs, then stop talking and start delivering the infrastructure that actually makes it possible.

It was another busy weekend across the Hill electorate catching up with locals and supporting some fantastic community events.

From stepping back in time at the Historic Village Herberton Pioneers Weekend, to enjoying the atmosphere and community spirit at the Dimbulah Lions Club Festival, it’s always great to see so many volunteers and organisers working hard to keep these events thriving.

The weekend was rounded out with a great afternoon of local Rugby League in Atherton, watching the Atherton Roosters take on the Mossman Sharks, with both sides putting in a tremendous effort.

A big thank you to everyone who volunteers, participates and supports these events. They are the backbone of our regional communities and a reminder of what makes our part of Queensland so special. - Shane Knuth MP

📣 IF YOU COULD FORCE EVERY MP IN QUEENSLAND TO SPEND A WEEK IN NORTH QUEENSLAND... WHERE WOULD YOU SEND THEM? 🤔

Every community has that one road, bridge, intersection, hospital, boat ramp, school, waterway or local issue that politicians need to see with their own eyes.

Let's hear what issues deserve a closer look from the people making the decisions.