Hat’s all, folks – Bob Katter hands over party reins

IN A seismic shift for the Queensland political landscape, maverick MP Bob Katter will hand over the reins of Katter’s Australian Party to his son in a bid to rejuvenate the outfit and take it into the future.

Katter’s Party

Australian has entered its 10th year since he launched it, surviving while other third-party movements have come and gone.

Son Robbie Katter will from today be making the policy, political and campaign calls for KAP, which now boasts three state MPs and one Federal.

But far from stepping out of the limelight, the colourful politician whose career has lasted almost 50 years, 74-year-old Bob says he is not giving up the fight yet.

“I’ve been sitting up the front of the stage coach long enough,” Bob said.

“I’ll still have the shotgun in my lap, but I’ll be sitting in the back looking at the map.”

Bob has been at the helm of the party since it launched in 2011, but said it was time for Robbie to take KAP forward.

“I’m stepping down, so he has to step up – whether he likes it or not,” Bob said.

Asked what prompted the change in leadership, Bob pointed to the state election where KAP, led by Robbie, picked up three seats while federally they failed to pick up any outside Kennedy.

“I don’t think our performance at the federal election was anywhere near as good as in the state election,” he said.

The veteran Kennedy MP said there will be vastly different leadership under Robbie, as well as more energy and a more modern approach.

“He’s a much more considered decision-maker than myself. Some people think he’s less confrontational, but he’s more profoundly confrontational,” Bob said.

He said he would not be retiring from politics and would recontest Kennedy at the next election, if endorsed by Robbie and president Shane Paulger.