YOUR SAY: Palmer's party pushes for Queensland split

The new Queensland leader of the Palmer United Party has called for north Queensland to become its own independent state, just one day after Alex Douglas resigned.

The sole remaining Palmer United Party MP in State Parliament, Carl Judge, was named as the leader of the party following Dr Douglas’ announcement.

Mr Judge said the party would take the policy to the next election, the Brisbane Times reported.

“The Palmer United Party believes there would be significant advantages to North Queensland’s self-government,” he said in a statement.

“The region has long been neglected by both the state and federal governments, yet it continues to act as a major economic centre and contributor to the Australian economy.”

Mr Judge said north Queensland had the “industry and economic viability to be recognised as Australia’s seventh state” and said the party would work closely with local and state governments to split the state in two.

Dr Douglas quit yesterday as the party's Queensland leader, and accused Mr Palmer of hand picking his candidates.

In a statement on the party’s website yesterday, Mr Palmer said Dr Douglas had sought a special role for himself and his wife Susie that was not provided for in the constitution of the party.

“Alex Douglas is the nephew of Bob Katter and it had become clear to me that there was major conflict of interest,” he said.

“He is influenced by his uncle and on a number of occasions had sought to merge the Palmer United Party with Katter’s Australian Party.”

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