Amy Remeikis reports in the Brisbane Times (27.3.16) on a renewed ‘push’ for a separate state in northern Queensland. The suggestion was immediately rejected by the Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, after a number of northern MPs, including perennial advocate Bob Katter, again floated the idea in response to supposed under-funding of infrastructure projects in the state’s north.
‘Queensland has as much chance of splitting into two separate states as it does of becoming the AFL capital of Australia – it’s possible, but the support just isn’t there.
‘With a federal election on the way, the split state debate, has, much like clock work, ticked back around, with the State engaged in the same circular argument it has had since 1852.
‘While state elections crack open the daylight saving debate, federal polls tend to spark conversation about the creation of Australia’s newest state – by dividing its most decentralised one into two, usually led by a north Queensland MP, prepared to “stick it” to those latte-sipping city dwellers who don’t understand or appreciate the north.’
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