‘Strategic Opportunity’: Katter’s Australian Party MP to Run for Regional Mayor

Queensland MP Nick Dametto is throwing his hat in the ring to become mayor of the regional city of Townsville.

Nick Dametto (centre) during a press conference after question time at Queensland Parliament House in Brisbane, on Oct. 11, 2023. AAP Image/Darren England

Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto has confirmed he will run for mayor of the regional Queensland city of Townsville once the anticipated local government election is called.

Hinchinbrook sits beside Townsville, a city with a population of around 200,000 residents.

KAP President Ben Fusco described it as a “moment of growth” for the party, saying it aimed to reach into local, state, and federal tiers of government. 

“Our fight in state parliament remains strong and uninterrupted, but with this strategic move, we are ensuring that the people of North Queensland have powerful representation at every level,” he said in a statement.

Dametto was first elected to the state seat in 2017. His mayoral run would require him to step down from parliament once the election is officially called, triggering a by-election in Hinchinbrook.

Fusco says Dametto has championed a number of KAP’s core policies, including fighting youth crime, advocating for Bruce Highway upgrades, funding food recovery programs, and restoring freedom in the community.

“His track record speaks for itself, and his leadership in Townsville will be vital as the region faces pivotal decisions on projects like the future of the copper refinery, CopperString, Lansdown, and Jet Zero,” Fusco said.

The Lansdown development is a significant, 2,200-hectare eco-industrial precinct owned by the Townsville City Council.

The Townsville Port in Townsville, Australia, on May 4, 2019. Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

It has been described as being well-positioned for a future CopperString connection, among other projects.

The CopperString 2032 project is a multi-billion-dollar transmission line designed to link the North West Minerals Province to the national grid for the first time. It is a long-supported initiative by KAP.

Jet Zero is a planned facility to produce sustainable jet fuel.

“This is a strategic opportunity. Not just for Nick’s career, but for the future of North Queensland,” Fusco said.

KAP says it is already preparing for a smooth transition in the state parliament and will announce a new candidate soon.

“The by-election is an opportunity to double our strength and expand our reach,” Fusco said.

“We see it as an opportunity to give North Queensland an even louder voice.”

Fusco added that voters wanted representatives who were not “Brisbane affiliated.”

A number of independent candidates are also expected to run for the seat of mayor in Townsville, in addition to incumbent acting mayor Ann-Maree Greany.