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Posted: 2024-10-14 19:38:10

From the right to kill home intruders to the creation of a new north Queensland state, a range of policies are being thrown around by the growing Katter's Australian Party.

Both major parties are continuing their attempts to woo voters, with Labor campaigning on cheap public transport, energy rebates and now school lunches, while the LNP is promising to make Queensland safer, reduce ambulance ramping and increase home ownership.

But some regional voters, like Mount Isa's Verity Sweeney, are looking to vote elsewhere "to keep the major parties honest".

The local business owner will be casting her vote for Robbie Katter.

"He's here and he knows what's going on here, his family has been here forever, and they know what it's like to live remotely," she said.

A woman wearing a white polo standing on a street with a car in background

Verity Sweeney says cost of living is her biggest concern ahead of the election. (ABC News: Emily Dobson)

At times even piloting his own plane around the state to see his vast electorate, Robbie Katter has successfully charmed rural voters for more than a decade.

For 12 years he's led the pro-firearms conservative bush party Katter's Australian Party (KAP) in the seat of Traegar, holding the north-west electorate with a vice-like 24.7 per cent margin.

KAP also holds three other seats around the state.

A man wearing a button up shirt and big hat talking with other people at a pub table

Traegar MP Robbie Katter connecting with voters at a Mount Isa pub. (ABC News: Emily Dobson)

This election, his party is running 11 candidates.

"It makes it an exciting time in Queensland politics because the vote for the other [minor parties] has continued to consistently grow," Mr Katter said.

With the Queensland election set for October 26, Labor or the LNP need to win 47 seats to form a majority government.

If they fail, they will need the support of minor parties or independents to form government, but Griffith University political commentator Paul Williams said this scenario was unlikely.

"The polls since February have been pretty consistent," he said.

"No one should be surprised if the LNP ends up with the high 50s or even 50 seats on the night."

Policies for the disenfranchised

Mr Katter said the two-party system, where both parties are based in Brisbane, does not "align with the interests and aspirations" of those in the state's north.

"We're in a very good position now for those disenfranchised voters to have someone that will align with their interests," the Traeger MP said.

A man and woman sit on a couch with two children, while another child is closer to the camera

Mr Katter with his wife Daisy and three children.  (ABC News: Emily Dobson)

His party, while strong on issues such as opposing abortion, is also campaigning on "castle law" – the right to defend your home from intruders with lethal force.

He also wants tougher policies on crime.

"Bush sentencing is required, parents need the right to smack again. We need harsh policies that have some real meaning," Mr Katter said.

He has also been critical of Queensland's spending on Olympic and tunnel infrastructure, arguing that more should be spent in the north, and has renewed calls earlier this year for a referendum which would see north Queensland become its own state.

Bob and Robbie Katter wearing blue shirts holding a cowboy hat outside a cattle pen

Robbie with his father Bob Katter.  (Supplied: Bob Katter)

Normally the KAP would not preference either major party but for the first time it will preference the LNP in Townsville.

Dr Williams predicts there will be a swing towards minor parties this election, in particular the KAP in north Queensland and the Greens in Brisbane.

He said the KAP is likely to retain all four of its seats, including the central Queensland seat of Mirani, which switched hands from One Nation to the KAP after MP Stephen Andrew defected in recent months.

One Nation targets swathe of Queensland

Meanwhile, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party is also seizing on the unease of voters in regional Queensland.

It has put forward 93 candidates in the state election, one for every seat of parliament.

James Ashby speaking in front of microphones at a press conference with Pauline Hanson and other One Nation supporters

James Ashby and Pauline Hanson speaking at a media conference in Brisbane. (Supplied: One Nation)

In the coastal seat of Keppel, Ms Hanson's Queensland branch leader and federal chief of staff James Ashby is a political advisor and former radio host who is leading a visible campaign against Labor incumbent Brittany Lauga.

"People are tired of the two major parties, we've got candidates willing to put their hands up and say they want to represent those people not currently being represented," Mr Ashby said.

He regularly speaks on Sky News using his own equipment to film and has significantly more likes on his social media channels than his local LNP contender, Nigel Hutton.

A close up of a man with short hair wearng a navy polo standing in front of a pool overlooking the beach

Mr Ashby has lived in his central Queensland community for eight years.    (ABC News: Jasmine Hines)

Pensioner Ken Welbeloved lives in Emu Park, a coastal village in the Keppel electorate.

He's an undecided voter, tossing up whether to vote for the LNP or One Nation.

"I have a good sort of opinion of One Nation, I think it keeps some of the others on their toes and keeps them a bit more honest about their policies."

An older man sitting down with a coffee and newspaper

Ken Welbeloved says cost of living is his biggest election issue. (ABC News: Jasmine Hines)

Dr Williams said it is unlikely One Nation will win a seat, but that Keppel will be their best performing result with Mr Ashby.

He said Keppel could be lost to Labor and picked up by the LNP's Mr Hutton.

Mr Ashby is campaigning heavily on a youth crime crackdown and health, but also on local issues such as building a high school in Emu Park, and progress for Great Keppel Island.

The 'mother of teals'

Noosa MP Sandy Bolton is the only independent MP in the state, a feat Dr Williams doubts will change.

Often described as the "mother of teals", Ms Bolton has held the seat for seven years.

"My teal colour was reflective of our community, it's a combination of bush and beach, it's very, very Noosa," she said.

Woman with colourful painting in background

Sandy Bolton won the safe LNP seat of Noosa in 2017. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Owen Jacques)

This time around, she's running against well-resourced LNP candidate Clare Stewart, a former Noosa mayor.

Ms Bolton has no affiliation with Climate 200, which funded some Teals at the last federal election.

Ms Bolton said she would work with whoever is in government and that her policy will reflect the views of Noosa.

"I've seen a lot of discontent with the major parties and I would hope that discontent will actually translate into more votes towards independents and minor parties," she said.

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