Bob Katter To Inspect Murray-Darling

Independent Bob Katter speaks to the media at Canberra Airport on August 24. Australia faces its first hung parliament since World War 2. Stefan Postles/Getty Images

Bob Katter will soon be visiting the environmentally troubled Murray-Darling Basin in a bid to give rural areas a “fair go”. The area is under pressure due to unsustainable water extraction and soil salination.

The Independent MP for Kennedy, Far North Queensland, recently questioned why anyone would farm in the area. According to the Herald Sun his comments may have caused concern among South Australians.

South Australian Independent Senator Nick Xenophon said the rural MP was committed to ensuring all regional communities got a fair go and the Queenslander has agreed to see the lower Murray.

“All states are facing water issues, especially South Australia,” Senator Xenophon said. “Bob is committed to ensuring all regional communities get a fair go and is keen to make the point that assisting regional communities should not be an ‘either or’ equation.”

The “force from the north”, as Katter described himself in an election campaign ad, is currently in Canberra, Australian Capitol Territory. Mr. Katter is one of the three kingmakers helping to decide the new Australian government after the recent hung election.

Water, regional development, the plight of farmers and the bush are some of the key issues Katter wishes to discuss with the two major parties, according to The Australian.

{etRelate 41335, 38177}Mr. Katter will inspect the Murray-Darling Basin during the coming weeks.