Bob Katter charges to election day as LNP attempts pry seat away from political veteran
The prospect of being an elder statesman in Australian politics may not sit well with maverick MP Bob Katter but the soon-to-be octogenarian has vowed not to act his age if re-elected.
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The prospect of being an elder statesman in Australian politics may not sit well with maverick MP Bob Katter.
But the soon-to-be octogenarian has vowed not to act his age if re-elected as the Member for Kennedy this weekend.
The LNP’s Annette Swaine has mounted a spirited campaign against the incumbent, who celebrated more than half-a-century in parliament late last year.
Mr Katter, who holds a 13 per cent margin in the outback seat which is almost two-and-a-half times the size of Victoria, insisted he showed no signs of slowing down as he approaches his 80th birthday later this month.
“You’re supposed to be old when you’re 80,” the MP said. “I’m working 80-hour weeks. I bet you my opponents aren’t doing 80-hour weeks.
“I’m just raring to go. I’m at the height of my intellectual powers – which is not very high, mind you. I’m a Cloncurry boy all the way so that’s a classical oxymoron.
“It’s a bit like National Party think tank … or military intelligence.”
A laundry list of lofty goals, including North Queensland’s secession, building a tunnel connecting Cairns to the Tablelands and taking the major supermarkets to task over a litany of concerns, were still yet to be checked off.
“I hope I’m setting an example for other people,” he said. “(Professional rodeo rider) Bobby Holder’s still ropin’ at 93.
“The bastard’s still coming out of shoots at a flat gallop twirling a bit of rope and chasing.
“Life doesn’t cease at 70. It does for some people. Things aren’t kind to them but not for everyone.”
No stranger to becoming a viral sensation on social media, Mr Katter doubled down on a recent video he posted over Easter, claiming that Jesus “bashed the living daylights out of bankers and money makers” at a temple.
And while the proud CFMEU member conceded that his recollection of scripture may not have been entirely accurate, the colourful candidate maintained that his criticisms of “pagan” supermarkets were valid.
“He sat down and plaited a whip, then went into the temple and turned over a table,” he said.
“What I’m saying is to people who were making money out of religion. Jesus expressed an opinion in a fairly confronting manner.
“The idea that Coles and Woolworths can make a squillion dollars out of Jesus’ birth and not acknowledge it, then, try to make money again out of his death and resurrection.”
C
oalition candidate Annette Swaine said the Kennedy electorate was desperate for change.
“I’ve been listening to independent parties say for decades they’re going to get the balance of power,” Ms Swaine said.
“We’re going to fight against the bad, bad major parties. I believe that a vote for a minor party, or independent risks another three years of Albo.
“If we do have another three years of him, we’re in dire straits.”
Originally published as Bob Katter charges to election day as LNP attempts pry seat away from political veteran
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