Katter's Australian Party state MPs have launched a scathing attack on Labor and the LNP for what they say is politicising the plight of struggling Queensland farmers to win favour with voters.
This came after state LNP leader Deb Frecklington urged Queenslanders to sign a Parliamentary petition opposing the Palaszczuk government's decision to reject Maleny Dairies' tender for a major hospital contract in favour of a foreign bid.
Matt Tomlinson, who stood for KAP in The Scenic Rim during the federal election, said the government decision was despicable.
"Both major parties parade their so-called promotion of shop local and eat local then they ward milk contracts where the profits are going to end up overseas," he said.
"How can farmers trust the government when they say one thing and then when it comes to crunch time they are not supporting them in Parliament?"
Ms Frecklington said Labor's decision to award the contract to French and Chinese companies was a slap in the face to Queenslanders.
"Maleny Dairies is proudly Queensland, but they've been utterly betrayed by Labor," Ms Frecklington said.
"The Palaszczuk Labor government is anti-Queensland... (their) 'Buy Queensland Policy' is nothing but a three-word slogan based on false hope."
Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles said Maleny Dairies could neither supply the volume needed for Metro Norths dairy contract nor all the products to meet the dietary requirements of hosptials.
"The contract was awarded to the company that owns Pauls," he said.
"Pauls has been a Queensland based company from the very beginning when they opened their first milk factory on the banks of the Brisbane River back in the 1930s.
"This contract will see Pauls buy milk from over 140 Queensland dairy farmers. Every single one of them family owned and operated.
"I'd like to know which of these 140 Queensland farmers Deb Frecklington would take business from? Would she take business from Dairy Farmers in her own electorate?"
Dr Miles said Deb Frecklington and the LNP approved the first Metro North dairy contract to Pauls in 2014 when she was Campbell Newman's assistant treasurer.
"On the Sunshine Coast, where Maleny Dairies is based, the contract was also awarded to Pauls under the LNP," he said.
State KAP Leader Robbie Katter said he was furious that after years of silence and repeated refusal to back KAP legislation designed to save farmers' livelihoods, Labor and the LNP were now claiming to be champions of the dairy industry.
"We are fed up with seeing major parties, particularly the LNP and Nationals, walk arm in arm with dairy farmers screaming we will help you, then they go into Parliament and continually vote against bills that are endorsed by the dairy industry," he said.
"If they really want to help the industry, they can start by convincing their federal colleagues to implement a minimum farm gate price for milk, based state by state.
"Twice the federal government have now voted against this, which defies logic or belief.
"You only need to take a short walk back in history to see Labor and the LNP's form on the dairy industry."
"We would always prefer an Aussie-owned company gets a go ahead before one from overseas, however these companies are still buying milk from Queensland farmers and it is disingenuous to suggest otherwise.
"Instead of getting bogged down in all this drama, the milk debate should zero in on ensuring local and international processors and major supermarkets are providing Queensland dairy farmers a fair price for the milk they produce - this point has been entirely forgotten and it's tragic."
