General News
15 October, 2025
Katter slams Powerlink for bungling of CopperString rollout
The Member for Traeger says the government-owned corporation has been 'incompetent'.
Robbie Katter says Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki has confirmed the "incompetence" of the government's bureaucrats, as well as PowerLink, pointing to more delays for CopperString.
“The utter incompetence of PowerLink to need yet more federal approvals, taking up to more than two years, is mind-blowing," the Member for Traeger said.
“The Prime Minister of Australia, the Queensland government and local councils are all on board. There are approvals ready to go for much of the project – yet the Canberra boffins reckon they want another stab at stalling this nation-building, critically significant project.
“It’s simply ludicrous."
Commenting on the investment in the Western Link communities and surrounding projects, Mr Katter said it was evidence of the second short-term band-aid fix from the government in the space of a week.
“Much like the government’s investment in Glencore and their copper smelter in Mount Isa, this has the air of a short-term fix to a problem that won’t go away – until CopperString is finished, all the way to Mount Isa,” the KAP leader said.
“State wealth-generating projects in the North West need confidence and a reliable power supply. Bespoke solution exploration doesn’t give long-term confidence. Connection to the national energy grid does."
However, Mr Katter welcomed the announcement of critical upgrades to infrastructure in Hughenden.
“Mayor Kate Peddle has done an outstanding job advocating for the urgently needed upgrades, especially the sewerage and water systems in Hughenden,” he said.
“The whole council should be congratulated on taking action on what is crumbling infrastructure, neglect for years,” he said.