The Liberal National Party has launched a stunning political assault during parliamentary question time, directly targeting Katter's Australian Party candidate for the seat of Traeger over his previous connections to the Labor Party.
Parliamentary Confrontation Escalates
In a dramatic exchange that highlighted the increasing political tensions in Queensland, LNP frontbencher Jarrod Bleijie used question time to challenge Katter's Australian Party leader Robbie Katter about his candidate's political history. The confrontation occurred as Queensland parliament resumed sitting, with both sides preparing for the upcoming state election.
The LNP specifically targeted Phil Godfrey, Katter's Australian Party candidate for the crucial seat of Traeger. Bleijie demanded to know whether Godfrey had previously been a member of the Labor Party and whether he had worked as an electorate officer for former Labor minister Coralee O'Rourke.
Candidate's Political History Under Scrutiny
Robbie Katter responded defiantly to the allegations, confirming that Godfrey had indeed worked for the former Labor minister but emphasized this was before his involvement with Katter's Australian Party. "The member for Traeger has previously worked for a former Labor member," Katter acknowledged during the heated exchange.
However, Katter quickly turned the tables on his LNP accusers, pointing out that several current LNP members had similar political transitions in their past. He specifically mentioned that the current LNP member for Gregory had previously worked for a federal Labor member before joining the conservative side of politics.
The Katter's Australian Party leader defended his candidate's credentials, stating that Godfrey's experience working in regional Queensland made him well-qualified to represent the Traeger electorate. The seat covers significant regional territory and has been a battleground for various political factions.
Broader Political Implications
This parliamentary confrontation reveals the increasing competition between the LNP and Katter's Australian Party in regional Queensland seats. With the state election approaching, both parties are positioning themselves to win over voters in traditionally conservative areas.
The attack strategy employed by the LNP suggests they view Katter's Australian Party as a significant threat in key regional electorates. By questioning the political loyalties of KAP candidates, the LNP aims to undermine their credibility with conservative voters.
Meanwhile, Katter's response demonstrates his party's confidence in maintaining their regional strongholds. The exchange highlights the complex political dynamics in Queensland, where minor parties often play crucial roles in determining election outcomes and government formation.
As Queensland politics heats up ahead of the next state election, such confrontations are likely to become more frequent, with all parties jockeying for position in what promises to be a closely contested battle for regional Queensland.
