Cate Molloy: Traveston chosen because "the people in the valley were all Nationals"

Media Release: Cate Molloy reveals truth about Beattie's dam decision 6th February 2007 The Southern Cross Federal Independent Candidate for Wide Bay, Cate Molloy, today revealed what she claimed is the truth about Beattie's decision to build a dam at Traveston on the Mary River. "Beattie's decision to put the dam at Traveston was purely political, and the public need to know this when debating other options," she said. "It was only because the area was strongly National Party that he decided he would put the dam there," said Cate Molloy. "I was actually at the Caucus Meeting when he said in as much words that it didn't really bother him about placing it in the Mary Valley as mostly only National Party voters lived there," said Cate Molloy. "Beattie was desperate to be seen as pro-active on water with the election coming on," she said. "His government had done nothing about water infrastructure and was caught out," said Ms Molloy. "So to find a way out, Beattie did an about face on Labor's earlier opposition to dams and had a list of preferred sites drawn up. Traveston was actually the fifth best choice," she said. "But Beattie knew all the better sites would actually impact more on Labor voters, so Beattie chose Traveston," said Cate Molloy. "I remember vividly that the Minister for Police, Judy Spence, strongly supported his decision, whereas I opposed it," said Ms Molloy. "Judy actually sprang to her feet and said the dam should be placed there as the people in the valley were all Nationals, never voted Labor and never would anyway, so why should anybody care," Cate Molloy said. "To me, Beattie's Traveston decision was never really about the water crisis, it was more about political expedience and morally corrupt," said Cate.