Bob Katter, Pauline Hanson war over preference deal betrayal

Firebrand Queensland politicians Bob Katter and Pauline Hanson are on the verge of war after a clash over preferences in the Hinchinbrook by-election.

Bob Katter in federal parliament earlier this month. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Firebrand Queensland politicians Bob Katter and Pauline Hanson are on the verge of war after a clash over preferences in the Hinchinbrook by-election.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Mr Katter berated Senator Hanson in a heated phone call after One Nation preferenced the LNP above Katter’s Australian Party.

It is understood Mr Katter and Senator Hanson traded barbs and both parties are now threatening to wipe each other out.

Mr Katter's office was contacted for comment. Senator Hanson declined to comment.

The parties compete for right-aligned votes and One Nation is in the midst of a polling resurgence as conservatives shun the Coalition.

The latest Newspoll has One Nation at its highest-ever national primary vote of 15 per cent.

Mr Katter took to social media to criticise One Nation.

Pauline Hanson, picture here in the Senate, refused to comment on the preference dispute. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“It’s disappointing that after continuing support to One Nation, they have chosen to instead support the LNP candidate,” he said.

KAP MP Robbie Katter earlier slammed One Nation’s decision to give preferences to a major political party.

“They’re the only ones that have ever broken, that have ever preferenced against us in favour of a major party, which I think is sacrilege for a minor party of our cut, of our sort of ideological bent,” he said.

“They have been acting more and more just like default Coalition partners which makes them completely irrelevant as a minor party.”

One Nation’s decision is another blow to KAP, which is aligned with Pauline Hanson’s movement. It’s also revenge.

The parties had a falling out, understood to be over KAP luring MP Stephen Andrew from One Nation and teaming up with former Senator Gerrard Rennick at the federal election.

Originally published as Bob Katter, Pauline Hanson war over preference deal betrayal