Is septuagenarian Bob Katter too old for politics?

Is septuagenarian Bob Katter too old for politics? The man vying for the seat of Kennedy says youth is on his side as he fights to unseat the almost 30-year political veteran.

THE Liberal National Party’s candidate for Kennedy says youth is on his side as he fights to unseat incumbent MP Bob Katter.

Farmer and a former North Queensland deputy mayor Bryce Macdonald has been announced as the LNP candidate for the federal seat of Kennedy.

The 54-year-old promised to “bring a whole new perspective” if elected to the seat which covers an estimated 30 per cent of the state, stretching west from Tully through rural and outback territory to Mount Isa and up to the Northern Territory.

“I take a lot of pride in my community and take a lot of pride in what I stand for,” he said.

“We need to turn Kennedy off and turn it back on and reset it, that is what Kennedy has been needing for some time.

“Kennedy really needs some (one) young -which I am- only 54 years old, the current member is 76 so we need someone that is young to get around (and) engage with the community.”

Mr Katter, who was born in 1945, is the oldest sitting MP.

Speaking to media in Townsville on Tuesday Mr Macdonald focused on his youth.

“There is a big age difference,” he said. “It is like backing up a bulldozer, sometimes you have to pull the opposite lead to get to where you want to be. I want to bring new ideas to Kennedy.”

He brushed off questions asking if the LNP campaign would centre on the current member being too old.

Member for Kennedy Bob Katter. Picture: Brendan Radke

Before switching to Federal politics the long-time National Party member was the deputy mayor of the Cassowary Coast Regional Council between 2012 and 2016 before an unsuccessful run for the top job.

“I take my political stance very seriously,” he said.

“I stand up for what I want to stand up for and I stand up for our community very strongly. I hope to bring some new vigour to the current atmosphere.”

Mr Macdonald said if elected he would focus on small business, less government intervention and family economics.

Katter’s Australia Party founder Bob Katter has held Kennedy since 1993 and retained his seat in 2019 with a 2.59 per cent swing against LNP candidate Charters Towers mayor Frank Beveridge.

Mr Macdonald would need a two party preferred swing of more than 13 per cent to have any chance of unseating Mr Katter.

The Federal Election is expected to be held in the first few months of 2022 with a May 31 cut off date for the nation to head to the polls.

Queensland Nationals Senator Susan McDonald said Mr Macdonald was a strong advocate for regional issues including reef regulations and fuel supply.

The senator said the Tully-born farmer had lived his whole life in the electorate and had the “grassroots” experience needed to succeed.

“We need a rejuvenated, energetic member of parliament who is going to go to Canberra and fight for the things we need,” she said.

“He is a man who understands this part of the world very well.

“I think he is the right man to take Kennedy into the future.”

Originally published as Is septuagenarian Bob Katter too old for politics?