Analysis: Robbie Katter didn’t roll the late grenade of this election campaign by accident

Robbie Katter has rolled a late election grenade. Was it an accident or a calculated move from a cunning politician, asks state political editor Hayden Johnson.

Robbie Katter – second-generation country bloke and cunning politician – rolled a late grenade of this election campaign.

Was it by accident or is this a huge moment?

For two weeks Mr Katter watched as Opposition Leader David Crisafulli squirmed under intense questioning prompted by his plan to repeal abortion next term.

Now, in a casual television interview with Sky on Townsville’s esplanade, Mr Katter softened his stance.

He says the only law change he’ll seek is a reintroduction of his Bill to mandate a baby born alive after a failed abortion be given care.

It’s a change from the emphatic warning he issued through The Courier-Mail on October 8.

“They can be assured that there will be a repeal bill to vote on in the next parliament put forward by the KAP,” he said.

Mr Katter says his position hasn’t changed, but argued the Babies Born Alive Bill is the first step – the canary in the coalmine.

His softening stance, regardless, is unlikely to affect Labor’s attack on the LNP about the issue, nor end its campaign claiming women’s rights are at risk under Mr Crisafulli.

However, Mr Katter has provided breathing room to the LNP in the dying days of this tightening campaign and the timing is questionable.

Robbie Katter softened plans to repeal abortion laws today. Picture: Liam Kidston

For three weeks the LNP and KAP had effectively agreed to a truce.

In Katter’s winnable seats the LNP selected candidates who wouldn’t pose a risk.

In return, KAP would go hard against Labor and keep its powder dry – but aimed – at the LNP.

However, it all changed this week with collapsing Labor support in Townsville suddenly putting KAP’s controversial candidate Michael Pugh in with a chance in Mundingburra.

Mr Katter’s softer language might also have something to do with Mundingburra’s 28.5 per cent of voters being aged 18 to 29, according to the most recent Census.

The Townsville-based electorate has the highest percentage of young people in regional Queensland and fourth-highest across the state – behind only South Brisbane, Maiwar and McConnel.

In insisting this isn’t about abortion, but “human rights”, Mr Katter might just be winning over the large demographic that might get his man over the line.

If he does KAP could hold a huge bloc or, at-best, the keys to a minority government.

Originally published as Analysis: Robbie Katter didn’t roll the late grenade of this election campaign by accident