Katter’s ‘colourful character’ no excuse for violent threats, MPs say

Senior MPs from across the political spectrum have condemned Bob Katter after the maverick Queenslander threatened to punch a Nine reporter in the mouth during a heated press conference in Brisbane ahead of polarising anti-immigration rallies.

Both Health Minister Mark Butler and Liberal senator Jane Hume joined a chorus of disgusted political figures to call out the abusive behaviour, in which Katter cried racism over a reasonable line of questioning over his party’s position on “anti-Australian sentiments” from immigrants.

“Watchers of Australian politics know Bob Katter is a bit of a character, but that is completely unacceptable,” Butler told Seven’s Sunrise on Friday morning.

“The threat itself is unacceptable. And then the physical approach, frankly, to the journalist ... it’s just unacceptable in this day and age, particularly from a political leader.”

Hume echoed the sentiment of her political rival, saying Katter’s “colourful character” was no excuse for his behaviour.

“There has to be consequences for this, you should always be able to feel safe and respected at work – journalists and politicians. The idea of threatening violence is entirely unacceptable,” she said.

Katter’s Australian Party state MPs, along with Katter, who leads the party from the federal House of Representatives, addressed the media at Queensland’s Parliament House, where the senior MP was questioned by Nine Queensland reporter Josh Bavas ahead of the March for Australia rallies planned for Sunday.

Bavas asked Katter about the dynastic political family’s Lebanese heritage, triggering an outburst from the party elder.

“Oh mate, don’t say that because that irritates me, and I punch blokes in the mouth for saying that,” Katter shouted.

“My family have been in this country for 140 years ... and if you say anything like that, I have on many occasions punched blokes in the mouth, right? And so I’m restraining myself today.”

Katter refused to answer Bavas’ questions, threatening him while pointing at the journalist.

He then told the assembled media that his party would not stand for anti-Australian sentiments and was “taking the names down now of anyone who treats our flag badly”.

“The gloves are coming right off now,” he said. “I don’t care whether they’re born here or not, if you have anti-Australian sentiments, get the hell out of my country.”

When Bavas pushed the point, asking Katter about immigrants to Australia with “good values”, the federal MP doubled down.

“Just look, don’t say that – I don’t say that because you’re a racist. You’re a racist,” he said, standing inches from Bavas and shaking a fist in his face.

Other journalists spoke up to support Bavas, but Katter said the reporter did not have the right to ask “a racist question which implies racism”.

“I’m not going to answer it, and I don’t consider him a proper Australian – a fair-minded Australian,” Katter said.

Bavas said it was not fair for a journalist to be interrupted mid-question and threatened, while KAP’s deputy leader, Nick Dametto, stepped in to defend Katter.

“You’ve offended Mr Katter, so I think he has every intention of being just as offensive back,” Dametto said.

Later on Thursday, Bavas told this masthead that during almost 20 years as a journalist, he had never experienced a similar reaction from an elected representative.

“In an extraordinary press conference, where a federal parliamentarian was talking about taking names on lists and deportation of residents, I was trying to ask a question about the value migrant Australian families, including the Katters and my own family, bring to this nation through shared values,” Bavas said.

Nine executive director of news and current affairs Fiona Dear said the company fully supported Bavas and would “continue to report without fear or favour”.

“He was just doing his job. Mr Katter’s aggressive behaviour and threats were unacceptable,” Dear said.

“His baseless and offensive accusation of racism is an irresponsible attempt to shut down a legitimate line of questioning and warrants a public apology from Mr Katter.”

Katter’s office declined to answer a question about whether he regretted the threat, and Queensland state MP Robbie Katter’s office did not respond to a question on whether he considered his father’s actions appropriate.

In a statement posted to social media earlier on Thursday, the federal MP demanded an apology, adding, “to be seen as anything other than Australian is highly insulting to me”.

“I am a proud Australian. It shouldn’t matter when you got here, how you got here, or how long you’ve been here ... If you live by our laws, our values, and fight for our way of life, you are an Australian,” he wrote.

The Behaviour Code for Australian Parliamentarians – which covers MPs on official business – prohibits bullying and harassment, which could lead to sanctioning.

Parliamentarians are sworn to treat all those with whom they come into contact in the course of their work with “dignity, courtesy, fairness and respect”.

The Parliamentary Workplace Support Service would not comment on whether a complaint had been made about Katter’s conduct.

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