Should federal parliamentarian Bob Katter have an Akubra named after him?
The fiery and elderly politician gives a surprising answer, when asked why he begun wearing his widebrimmed Akubra in the first place. Is he telling the truth? Watch his interview.
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Maverick politician Bob Katter is identified far-and-wide for the cream Akubra he wears, and can be picked out of any crowd, whether it be in capital city streets or alongside the dusty arenas of outback rodeos.
“Any time I ever went out of the house without a hat on, my mother (Mabel) gave me a whack that almost knocked my head off,” the 79-year-old Cloncurry raised politician said.
“Even now, if I suddenly realised I haven’t got a hat on, I feel a whack coming at me.
“Yes, my mother said I should always wear a hat, and I was deadset terrified of my mother, so that’s why I always wear a hat.”
There are numerous styles of Akubra hats, such as the Snowy River, Banjo Paterson, Cattleman, Riverina, and the Arena that he wears.
But once there was a style called The Honest John, named for John Molony who was the Mount Isa Mayor in 2008 when he commented on the outback mining city’s gender ratio, in which men outnumbered women five-one.
His comments “we should find out where there are beauty disadvantaged women and ask them to proceed to Mount Isa” where they could transform into a “beautiful swan” sparked international outrage, local protests, and an award for the most sexist comment.
Mr Katter was well aware that the notorious former mayor, who resides in Townsville, had an Akubra named after him while he did not.
“Every time I see him he’d say, ‘you still haven’t made it mate’.
“Molony got it named after him and he never let me forget it.”
When asked what he would name the hat after, he showed preference for “The Ringer” while “The Maverick” sounded too Americanised.
He also supposed city based politicians making an effort and wearing large brimmed hats when visiting the regions, even if they did not normally do so.
Their tendency to wear brand new and untested hats for media conferences has been met with cynicism, including from columnist John “Ando” Andersen when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended Beef Week in Rockhampton in May.
When Mr Katter was asked if these politicians were wearing large hats in the regions because they themselves were recalling childhood discipline, or trauma, he said, “I’d like to think I’m setting a good example.
“When in the north, do what the northerners do, wear a hat.”
He considered buying an Akubra for opposition leader Peter Dutton when he attended the rodeo as well, if it wasn’t for the cost.
But Mr Dutton did not need the gift.
He was spotted at the rodeo wearing a brown widebrimmed hat anyway, but Mr Katter believed “there’s value in nice thoughts like that.”
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Originally published as Should federal parliamentarian Bob Katter have an Akubra named after him?
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