Bob Katter: Kennedy MP is ‘pro-vaccine’ despite anti-vaxxer rally claims

Bob Katter’s staff say the political firebrand is firmly in the pro-vax camp despite making unverified public claims of vaccine deaths and disability at an anti-mandate rally.

BOB Katter’s staff say the political firebrand is firmly in the pro-vax camp despite making unverified public claims of vaccine deaths and disability at an anti-mandate rally.

The Kennedy MP earned ecstatic applause when he fronted a “freedom” rally in Cairns at the weekend, listing eight unnamed constituents with serious reported Covid-19 vaccine side effects.

Two were apparently dead, two crippled for life, three had “serious problems” and one was rushed to the intensive care unit – all in the space of eight weeks.

Mr Katter did not seek his own expert advice to confirm the reports’ legitimacy, although his spokeswoman said “a number of these cases presented were accompanied with supporting evidence from medical practitioners”.

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His office did, however, encourage constituents to make representations to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

“In a lot of cases they have already done this by the time they contact our office,” the spokeswoman said.

The TGA has found only nine cases of death linked to Covid-19 immunisation in Australia out of a total of 665 reports – a confirmation rate of just 1.35 per cent once claims have been researched.

Division 9 Cairns regional councillor Brett Olds, Member for Kennedy Bob Katter and Member for Hill Shane Knuth buddy up at the rally. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Large-scale vaccination means that some people will experience a new illness or die within a few days or weeks of vaccination,” the TGA website states.

“These events are often coincidental, rather than being caused by the vaccine.”

Despite his provocative and unverified statements, Mr Katter’s spokeswoman said he was not encouraging people not to get vaccinated.

“Mr Katter himself is vaccinated and has encouraged people to go to their doctor, as he did, to discuss it,” she said.

Bob Katter takes the podium. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Bob remains pro-vaccination but is anti-coercion and compulsion.”

Cairns MP Michael Healy said the Kennedy MP was putting his own constituents at risk by casting unfounded doubt on vaccinations.

“We need strong leadership and the community is looking for that,” he said.

“We don’t have time for ambulance chasers like Bob Katter.”

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Originally published as Bob Katter: Kennedy MP is ‘pro-vaccine’ despite anti-vaxxer rally claims