General News
14 November, 2025
OPINION: Future of KAP at stake as LNP makes its move
Editor Matt Nicholls shares his thoughts on the political machinations evolving in North Queensland.
The next three months could determine the future of Katter's Australian Party as it faces a battle to maintain its foothold in North Queensland.
It's an almost unthinkable situation considering that just weeks ago, the KAP had four MPs well and truly entrenched in state and federal parliament.
However, the resignation of Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto to run for Townsville mayor, and the potential redistribution of Queensland seats that could eliminate the Hill electorate, occupied by Shane Knuth, has the KAP under pressure.
The predicted retirement of Bob Katter, who turned 80 earlier this year, also throws a cat amongst the pigeons.
Dametto is being tipped by many to win the Townsville mayoral race, with votes to be counted from tomorrow night, but his victory would be without the support of the KAP.
Despite a confusing media release that was sent out shortly after Dametto announced his intentions to quit state politics and run for mayor, sources say that ties are well and truly cut between the KAP and the former Hinchinbrook MP.
In fact, there is strong speculation that Dametto was approached by Premier David Crisafulli to run for mayor, so that he could insert his mate, Wade Chiesa, into the running for the Hinchinbrook seat.
Chiesa, the former CEO of RDA Townsville and North West Queensland, resigned from his post several months ago.
Former Townsville mayor Troy Thompson, who is the cause of the by-election and is also running for election in Saturday's postal ballot, made the bold claim in a recent interview.
"The Premier has absolutely tapped Nick Dametto on the shoulder and said 'I want the seat of Hinchinbrook; I'd like you to run for mayor and I'll support you in that'," Thompson said.
"(Nick's) been well supported."
Interestingly, Dametto stood immediately next to the Premier in Cardwell this week for a major local announcement.
You might be thinking: What does this mean for North West Queensland?
It becomes a house of cards if results start to go against the KAP.
Should Dametto be announced as the next mayor of Townsville, who will he endorse for the Hinchinbrook seat in the November 29 by-election?
Will he back the LNP's man Chiesa? Or will he endorse his good mate Mark Molachino, who is running for the KAP?
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission of Queensland will announce its redistribution plans for the state after Christmas, but should Hill disappear off the map to create a new seat in the south-east – as many are predicting – it would leave Shane Knuth in limbo ahead of the 2028 state election.
He could run for another seat, but victory would be far from guaranteed for the 59-year-old.
If Traeger, which is KAP leader Robbie Katter's seat, were to stretch to the Atherton Tablelands as some have mooted, could Knuth be the man to take it on?
While he isn't well known in Mount Isa, Knuth is well respected from Mareeba to Charters Towers and across the Gulf.
A run at Traeger would require the party's elder statesman Bob Katter to retire and for Robbie to run for the federal seat of Kennedy.
Robbie turning his attention to Canberra would likely depend on the health of the party. He might be required to stay in state politics to shore up the KAP.
Meanwhile, there are a couple of people in local government in the North West who had expressed interest in running for Kennedy or Traeger before this jigsaw puzzle emerged.
The LNP, in particular, should be keeping a close eye on what happens.
If it can win Hinchinbrook and Robbie Katter decides to run for federal politics, it might create an opportunity for the LNP to gain traction in the region.
Labor, which historically held the seat of Mount Isa before it changed to Traeger, could also eye a local resurgence.
On the flipside, the next few months could strengthen the KAP's position.
If Molachino were to hold off Chiesa and retain Hinchinbrook for his new party, and Hill remained a seat under the redistribution, the KAP would continue to have four MPs and a mandate to be the quasi-opposition party in North Queensland.