Katter MPs budget boycott over croc cull

Queensland's two Katter's Australia Party MPs have threatened to block the upcoming state budget unless the government supports their crocodile cull proposal.

Queensland's two Katter's Australian Party MPs have threatened to block the upcoming state budget if the government doesn't back their proposal to cull crocodiles.

The KAP is set to introduce a bill in May that proposes several management strategies, including managed culls and crocodile hunting safaris run by local indigenous communities in remote regions of north and far north Queensland.

Mt Isa MP Robbie Katter said drastic action was needed because the problem was getting out of control.

"Our obligation is to go down there and vote for the interests of north Queensland and if people are dying and you can't get them to listen, what are you supposed to do?" he said in Cairns on Wednesday.

But Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk maintained her government's policies were working in regards to managing the crocodile population, despite acknowledging the reptiles' numbers were increasing.

The KAP's calls follow the death of a 35-year-old spear fisherman near Innisfail last month, as well the mauling of a teen in the same area a few days later.

Queensland's Labor government relies on the crossbench in the hung parliament, in particular the KAP MPs.

However, the KAP would also have to convince the Liberal National Party opposition to join them in blocking the June budget over the issue.


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Source: AAP


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Katter MPs budget boycott over croc cull | SBS News