Coal Seam Gas a Major Factor in Defection to Katter's Party

A Queensland Liberal National Party member has defected to join his brother in Katter's Australian Party, citing the contentious issue of coal seam gas drilling on prime farmland as a major factor.

Dalrymple MP Shane Knuth and Jeff Knuth, a former One Nation MP, will represent the new party, alongside Bob Katter's son Robbie Katter, at next year's Queensland election.

Shane Knuth says he was elected as a National Party member in 2004, but believes the merger with the Liberal Party was disastrous for rural representation and no more than a 'Liberal Party takeover'.

He says farmers and the Great Artesian Basin need to be protected from coal seam gas companies.

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