Katter family renews push for North Queensland to become state
Bob Katter and his son Robbie have renewed calls for North Queensland to become Australia’s seventh state, arguing that the region’s roughly one million residents are governed from Brisbane, about 3,000 kilometres away. Supporters say greater autonomy could better reflect North Queensland’s distinct communities and strengthen its agricultural, mining, tourism and energy economies, while critics would point to the substantial constitutional and political obstacles.
The proposal would split Queensland roughly along its northern half to the Northern Territory border. Robbie Katter’s 2024 motion in Queensland Parliament failed, and Section 124 of Australia’s Constitution requires the Queensland Parliament to approve any new state. LNP Senator Matt Canavan supports the idea, arguing that new state governments could encourage competition for residents, investment and jobs, although Australia has not created a new state since Queensland was formed in 1859.
- Katter family renews campaign for North Queensland statehood.
- Supporters cite distance, regional identity and economic potential.
- Queensland Parliament approval remains a major obstacle.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters argue that North Queensland’s distance from Brisbane and distinct economic and social conditions make more local government democratically responsive and better able to set regional priorities. They believe statehood could strengthen accountability, encourage competition for residents and investment, and give agriculture, mining, tourism and energy greater influence over infrastructure and policy.
The case against
Critics can reasonably argue that creating a new state would involve formidable constitutional, political and administrative barriers, while adding another layer of government and significant costs. They may also question whether the proposed state would have a sufficiently broad and stable revenue base, and whether regional concerns could be addressed more efficiently through improved decentralisation within Queensland.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “Why MPs are pushing for an entirely new state to be added to Australia”.