General News
20 August, 2025
Opportunity for real rail reform, says KAP leader
Robbie Katter says the overhaul of the Queensland Rail board should see some positive action.
Katter's Australian Party leader and Member for Traeger Robbie Katter says the state government has an opportunity to reform the state’s broken regional rail system after four of the five Queensland Rail board members were moved on.
“It’s promising to see a wide-ranging clean out at the top of Queensland Rail – the proof, however, will be in getting change on the ground, where the real hard workers are,” he said.
“I’m onto my sixth Transport Minister now, of both major Brisbane parties, yet rail operations in the North West have remained in a state of paralysis.
“Since 2011, we have seen a 38 per cent decrease in freight on the rail, and this has led Queensland Rail to simply jack up the price they charge the remaining users of the line.
“Queensland Rail are aware of the fundamental issue, and importantly its fix; throw the QCA (Queensland Competition Authority) guidelines in the bin and incentivise bulk ore onto rail and off the road. This should particularly be the case for bulk ore.”
The Mount Isa line is one of the only lines in Queensland that attracts QCA intervention and full cost recovery mechanisms.
“The QCA is supposed to be the ‘economic regulator’ and they say they ‘help prevent monopoly businesses from inappropriately using their market power’. Well, the bean counters in Brisbane are presiding over the systematic destruction of the North West’s transport artery,” Mr Katter said.
“The absolute irony is the organisation tasked to be the economic regulator is regulating away any future economy for our region! I am calling on the new board members of Queensland Rail to have a root and branch cleanout of upper management – just like the board has had.
“There is a fantastic opportunity for Queensland Rail to move from an organisation of ‘no’ and ‘it’s too hard’ to being a genuine economic driver.
“The opportunities, and desperate need for rail across our vast state are endless.
“From ore, to cattle, and tourism. All we need are real leaders in QR, not stale bureaucrats looking for any excuse to hit innovation on the head. More bulk freight off our crumbling roads, and a proactive attitude to incentivising new and return users – and not through lazy subsidies.”
The four new appointees, who join continuing board member Loretta Lynch, are Andrew Wellington (chair), Lisa Hewitt, Julian Haber and Wendy McMillan.