Critics slam sKatter-gun proposition
AN OUTSPOKEN Far North MP isn’t backing down on his stance to arm all schoolchildren amid growing political tensions overseas.
Kennedy MP Bob Katter first made the wild call in February in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, calling on the Federal Government to build missileequipped patrol boats and create a high school cadet program in which every student would be introduced to using a gun.
“Each student at every school in Australia should be allocated a semi-automatic combat rifle and taught how to use it responsibly, in a very controlled way,” Mr Katter said at the time.
“This could be rolled out within a matter of six months.
“They will become steadfast patriots as sure as night follows day.
“And if anyone wants to try something with Australia, they will face a guerrilla army of five million strong.”
Now, Mr Katter says he believes there is evidence to suggest China is harbouring desires to invade Australia, leading to him restating his stance on national TV on Friday.
“Look at the aggression of China in the South Pacific. Do they want a little island in the South Pacific? They want the treasure trove which is Australia,” he said.
His comments came just hours after it was confirmed the Solomon Islands had inked a security deal with China, despite protests from Australia and New Zealand.
The agreement will allow for Chinese navy ships and defence forces to be based in the Pacific nation to protect infrastructure investments in the country.
“It gives yourself respect, it gives you confidence, it fills
you with a sense of responsibility,” Mr Katter said of his plan to arm children as young as 13.
While his plans drew comments from former deputy prime minister Wayne Swan labelling him “a bit crazy”, Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said Mr Katter was only creating fear among the school-aged population.
“I have a 15-year-old daughter in high school and she and her friends are genuinely worried about war,” Mr
Entsch said. “Mr Katter doesn’t realise military combat today isn’t going to come down to this face-to-face combat.
“It’s advanced warfare; we need engineers and our young people using their minds.
“And for anyone who wants to become a cadet, we have programs for that.
“In Australia, we have put so much time and effort into eradicating gun culture, I just can’t support bringing it back,” he said.