'Cowboy' MP is powerbroker in Australia’s parliament
Bob Katter, the self-described “force from the north”, is not shy about expressing his views
Cowboy hat-wearing political maverick Bob Katter sparked controversy last month with a campaign video showing him shooting opponents from Australia’s two major parties, over the sale of farming land to foreigners.
But the independent MP from the country’s rural northeast is now being courted by one of the parties, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s Liberal/National coalition, after elections on July 2.
The prime minister thanked Katter by name in his victory speech, saying they had “constructive discussions” last week when the Queenslander pledged to get behind the government on budget matters and on votes of no confidence.
The self-described “force from the north” is passionate about guns and protecting Australian farmers and industry, and is also not shy about expressing his views, stirring up controversy along the way.