The ABC’s Chris O’Brien reports (15.9.16) on the latest moves in the state Parliament from the Katter’s Australian Party to progress the idea of separate statehood for northern Queensland.
‘Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) is pushing ahead with its call to split Queensland into two states, proposing a boundary be decided by the Queensland Redistribution Commission or another independent body.
‘Rob Katter will move to debate the idea in Parliament tonight.
‘”I give notice that I shall move that the Queensland Legislative Assembly supports in accordance with section 124 of the Commonwealth constitution the separation of Queensland into two states,” he said.
‘”That the boundary of the two states is to be as recommended by an independent body such as the current Queensland Redistribution Commission.”
‘Mr Katter has previously told the ABC the split was needed to address what he described as a “sinkhole” of funding to “keep building aquariums in Brisbane and office buildings and to buy votes”.
‘The constitution, section 124, allows a state parliament to approve the separation of that state. However, even if the motion is passed it would not be a binding decision — just an expression of MPs’ opinions.
‘Mr Katter said if that happened, the next step would be to bring in legislation.’