Maverick MP Bob Katter grumbles after polling booth complaints

Federal MP Bob Katter has been spotted at a Townsville early voting centre, already accused of causing a ruckus from the other parties. WATCH THE VIDEO

Maverick Federal MP Bob Katter has been accused of ignoring boundary markers at a Townsville early voting centre more than eight times, causing grumbling from representatives of other political parties.

“There’s not a person in Australia who’s not sick of being pushed around,” Mr Katter said in response at the West End pre-polling booth where he was supporting Townsville KAP candidate Margie Ryder.

“They’re just sick of being pushed around, if anyone’s going to stand up to them it should be me.”

The same early voting centre next to a large carpark and shopfront had been problematic in the local government election in March, when police were deployed as peacekeepers to resolve tensions involving a marquee installed in front of the nearby RSPCA op-shop.

For this election, an exclusion zone had been added in front of the RSPCA’s automatic doors, which Mr Katter was seen ignoring and even stopping down directly in front of the doors to pick up a piece of paper.

Federal MP Bob Katter stands in a pre-poll exclusion zone in front of an op-shop RSPCA shop, as pre-poll voters walk into the booth. Picture: Chris Burns

This had reduced the limited amount of space that political supporters had to stand or walk without crossing barriers, or without walking onto the carpark.

But the Federal MP said the real issue was on whether KAP could control the balance of power, and he believed this could happen if they would win at least three more seats.

He believed statistically speaking a major party was unlikely to gain a landslide victory considering it had only happened three times in Queensland in 75 years.

The West End based pre-poll booth in Townsville has limited space. Townsville State MP Scott Stewart hands out how-to-vote cards to voters, but Mr Stewart said he cannot step onto the road or the car park spaces.

He also believed the KAP had a shot at least two Townsville based seats.

“What is important is whether Brisbane gets the money or whether we get the money,” Mr Katter said.

“I kind of think it’s not going to be a landslide.”

But Mr Katter believed he should be the “last person to ask” about predicting the election’s outcome even considering the length of time he served as a parliamentarian.

“But that doesn’t give you an article for a journal,” Mr Katter said.

“I can assure you whilst longevity gives you knowledge I can assure you it does not give you wisdom.”

Originally published as Maverick MP Bob Katter grumbles after polling booth complaints