Origins of the United Progressive Association

The United Progressive Association originated in the early 1980s. It was formed as an alliance of voters to select and support a team of Candidates to contest the 1982 Local Government elections in Mount Isa.

Although at that time Mount Isa Council had not yet been in existence for 20 years, a number of such teams had emerged over those years representing various interest groups including the Ratepayers Association, Citizens Association and the Mount Isa Progress Party. All these other groups were of short duration and disappeared when their originators were unsuccessful at the ballot box or lost office after a term.

The UPA attempt to secure Council representation was partly successful with the 1982 election when four members of their team were elected. This however became a springboard towards the election of 1985 when the UPA secured a clean sweep of all nine Council positions. For a number of years the UPA held all positions on Council until the election of an independent in 2001. This was followed by the election of two independents in 2004, and a loss of a majority and the Mayoral Office in the 2008 election.

The UPA were formed back in the 1980s to secure a more representative team for the City and have fielded teams and candidates at every Council election since that time. Previous Councils had been dominated by business people, many with special interests which we thought may have led to conflicts of interest while carrying out their roles as Aldermen. The UPA plan was to replace self interest groups and individuals with Councillors who were prepared to work on behalf of all residents. It was also aimed at selecting people with diverse backgrounds and employment to ensure fresh ideas and knowledge.

The 2008 Local Government election was the first conducted under sweeping changes initiated by the Queensland Government which introduced major pay increses for Councillors and a reduction in Councillor numbers from eight to six. The UPA representation was reduced to two Councillors - Councillor Jean Ferris who has almost 20 years experience on Council and Gary Asmus who is now serving a third term on Council.

Having worked to improve the City, its lifestyle and the opportunities on offer for the past 27 years, the United Progressive Association continue to believe in our city's growth and are not prepared to follow the other like organisations into oblivion. Consequently, they have resolved to continue as an organisation to support the two remaining UPA Councillors and to seek opportunities to enhance the City of Mount Isa into the future.

United Progressive Association Mission Statement

The United Progressive Association is a group of people that are interested in the progress and prosperity of Mount Isa.

In order to ensure the progression and prosperity of Mount Isa the United Progressive Association aim to:

• Actively pursue and promote policies which are in the public interest through the media and public forums;
• Enhance infrastructure development and growth opportunities by promoting ideas and through interaction with supporters and with Government and other development organisations;
• Lobby for projects and activities which support youth development, both through Local Government and other organisations and levels of Government;
• Support and advocate activities which provide facilities and programmes which foster family values;
• Provide and defend the image and integrity of Mount Isa and encourage opportunities for expansion of industry to facilitate sustainable growth;
• Support nominated candidates in government elections.

No donations will be accepted, all monies generated by the United Progressive Association will be done so through membership and fundraising. The monies will be used to foster the above aims and to provide an administrative framework to enable the organisation to meet its legal responsibilities.