Bob Katter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bob Katter
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Official portrait, 1993
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| Father of the House | |
| Assumed office 11 April 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Kevin Andrews |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Kennedy |
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| Assumed office 13 March 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Rob Hulls |
| Leader of the Katter's Australian Party | |
| In office 5 June 2011 – 3 February 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Party established |
| Succeeded by | Robbie Katter |
| Member of the Queensland Parliament for Flinders |
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| In office 7 December 1974 – 25 August 1992 |
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| Preceded by | Bill Longeran |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| Minister for Northern Development; Community Services & Indigenous Affairs | |
| In office 7 November 1983 – 25 September 1989 |
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| Premier | Joh Bjelke-Petersen Mike Ahern Russell Cooper |
| Preceded by | Thomas Gilmore |
| Succeeded by | Martin Tenni |
| Minister for Mines and Energy | |
| In office 25 September 1989 – 7 December 1989 |
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| Premier | Russell Cooper |
| Preceded by | Martin Tenni |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Gilmore Tony McGrady |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Robert Bellarmine Carl Katter
22 May 1945 Cloncurry, Queensland, Australia |
| Political party | Katter's Australian (since 2011) |
| Other political affiliations |
National (until 2001) Independent (2001–2011) |
| Relations | Carl Katter (half-brother) Alex Douglas (nephew) Kim Hames (cousin) See Katter family |
| Children | Robbie |
| Parents | Bob Katter Sr. Mabel Horn |
| Residences | Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia |
| Education | Mount Carmel College St Columba Catholic College |
| Alma mater | University of Queensland |
| Occupation | Member of Parliament - Insurance, mining and cattle interests (Self-employed) |
| Profession | Farmer, Labourer and Politician |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | Australian Army Reserve |
| Years of service | 1964–1972 |
| Rank | Second Lieutenant |
| Unit | 49th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment |
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Other offices
1983–1989: Chair, National Party Water Resources Committee (Qld)
1968–1973: Delegate, National Party State Council 1972–1974: Branch President, National Country Party |
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Robert Bellarmine Carl Katter (born 22 May 1945) is an Australian politician. He has been a member of the House of Representatives since 1993. Before that, he was active in Queensland state politics from 1974 to 1992. Katter was part of the National Party until 2001. Then he became an independent politician. In 2011, he started his own party, Katter's Australian Party.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Bob Katter was born in Cloncurry, Queensland. His father, Bob Katter Sr., was also a politician. His family has a long history in the area. Katter's grandparents moved to Cloncurry around 1900. His paternal grandfather was from Lebanon. He owned clothing stores across north Queensland.
Katter grew up in Cloncurry. His family ran a clothing shop and a local cinema. He was one of only six students in his school to finish Year 12. He later studied law at the University of Queensland but did not finish his degree. While at university, he was involved in student groups. He also served in the Citizens Military Forces. After university, he worked in his family's businesses. He also worked as a labourer in the Mt Isa Mines.
Starting in State Politics
Katter's father was a member of the Australian Labor Party before joining the Country Party (now the National Party). Bob Katter junior followed in his father's footsteps. He became a member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland. He represented the Flinders area from 1974 to 1992.
During his time in state parliament, Katter held several important roles. He was a minister in the government from 1983 to 1989. He supported the Premier, Joh Bjelke-Petersen. He worked on issues like northern development and community services.
Moving to Federal Politics
After leaving state politics in 1992, Katter decided to run for federal parliament. In 1993, he ran for the seat of Division of Kennedy. This was his father's old seat. He won the election and became a member of the House of Representatives.
Katter was re-elected easily in 1996 and 1998. However, he started to disagree with the federal Liberal and National parties. He had different ideas on how the economy and society should work. He was against some of their policies.
Becoming an Independent MP
In 2001, Katter left the National Party. He decided to run as an independent candidate. He was very popular in his area. He won his seat easily in the 2001, 2004, 2007, and 2010 elections. Each time, he received a high percentage of the votes.
In 2010, there was a very close federal election. No major party won enough seats to form a government on their own. Katter was one of the independent members who had to decide which party to support. He presented his ideas to both major parties. In the end, he decided to support the Liberal/National Coalition.
Katter's Australian Party
On 5 June 2011, Bob Katter started his own political party. It is called Katter's Australian Party. He said the party would focus on helping agriculture and rural areas. He even sang an election jingle to his party's candidates!
In the 2013 election, Katter faced a tough challenge. His seat was considered very safe. However, he lost a lot of votes. This was partly due to anger over a decision about live animal exports. He was re-elected with help from other parties' votes.
Katter kept his seat in the 2016 election. He even gained more support. In 2017, he made it clear that the government could not always count on his support. This was during a time when some politicians had issues with their citizenship.
In 2018, Katter helped secure money for dam projects in North Queensland. These projects would help with irrigation. In the 2019 election, he was re-elected again. He also won in the 2022 election. After this election, he became the "Father of the House." This title goes to the longest-serving member of the Australian House of Representatives.
In July 2024, it was announced that a portrait of Katter might be painted. It could be hung in the Federal Parliament.
What Bob Katter Believes
Bob Katter is known for his strong beliefs. He is often described as a social conservative. This means he holds traditional views on social issues. He also has ideas about the economy that are sometimes called "agrarian socialist." This means he supports farmers and wants the government to play a role in the economy. He is against selling off government-owned businesses. He also supports traditional ways of marketing farm products.
Katter has sometimes been called the "Mad Katter." This nickname describes his strong focus on developing Australia. He has a unique way of expressing his views.
Environment and Economy
Katter has spoken out against laws that control carbon emissions. However, he supports actions that reduce our carbon footprint. He has pushed for laws that require ethanol fuel in petrol. He also strongly opposes imported bananas. He believes that a few large supermarkets have too much power in Australia.
Gun Laws
Katter has been a strong opponent of stricter gun control laws. These laws were put in place after a tragic event in 1996. He believes there was no conspiracy related to that event.
Indigenous Australians
Katter is against laws that would require voters to show ID. He believes these laws would make it harder for Aboriginal communities to vote. He has also spoken about his own connection to Aboriginal people. He sometimes identifies as an Aboriginal Australian. He says he was accepted by the Kalkadoon tribe in his youth.
Personal Life
Bob Katter's son, Robbie, is also a politician. He has been a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly since 2012. He represents areas that his father used to represent in state parliament. This makes Robbie the third generation of the Katter family to be a politician.
Katter is a fan of the North Queensland Cowboys rugby league team.
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