Bob Katter is facing a demand to apologise after he threatened to punch a journalist for asking about the independent MP’s heritage in a bizarre and at times chilling press conference about anti-immigration rallies.
Bob Katter was promoting the protests in a media conference this morning when 9News reporter Josh Bavas began asking him about his Lebanese heritage, but wasn’t able to finish his question before the furious MP interjected.
“Oh mate, don’t say that because that irritates me,” the MP shouted.
Bob Katter has threatened a journalist at a press conference. (Nine)
“I’ve punched blokes in the mouth for saying that, don’t you dare say that.
“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. So I’m restraining myself today.”
At another point in the press conference, Bavas began a question by saying: “Regardless of the country, there are people who have come here from other countries, like yourself, like your family, that have good values.”
That sparked another angry interjection from Bob Katter, who strode up to Bavas, pointing his finger and shaking his fist close to the reporter’s face.
“No, listen, just don’t say that, don’t say that because you’re a racist,” he said.
“You cannot say what you’ve just said without being identified as a racist.
“So gentlemen, ladies, this man is a racist.”
Katter has history of reacting furiously to questions about his grandfather’s Lebanese background. (AAP)
Bob Katter also said Bavas didn’t have the freedom to ask a question because it was racist and he didn’t consider him a “proper, fair-minded Australian”.
In a statement released this afternoon, Bavas said he was trying to ask a legitimate question, and that he’d never seen anything like the Federal MP’s display.
“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,” he said.
“In my near 20 years in journalism, I’ve never experienced that kind of reaction from an elected representative.”
Meanwhile, Nine’s news and current affairs director Fiona Dear has demanded an apology from Katter.
“Nine fully supports 9News reporter Josh Bavas. He was just doing his job. Mr Katter’s aggressive behaviour and threats were unacceptable,” she said in a statement.
“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.
“We stand by Josh Bavas and will continue to report without fear or favour.”
Bob Katter’s son, fellow politician Robbie Katter, later said he didn’t think his father would apologise.
Archival records suggest Bob Katter’s grandfather migrated to Australia from Lebanon around the late 1800s as Carlyle Assad Khittar before changing his name to Carl Robert Katter.
The long-serving politician was today promoting anti-immigration rallies which will be held across the country this weekend.
“If you have anti-Australian sentiments, then get the hell out of my country, because we are taking the names down now of anyone that treats our flag badly,” he said at another point in the press conference.
“We’re taking their names down. The gloves are coming right off.”
The independent MP, who was born in the Queensland town of Cloncurry in 1945, has a history of reacting angrily to questions about his heritage, having once again described similar questions as racist in 2018.
Later in the day Queensland state MP Robbie Katter said he didn’t believe his father would apologise and claimed he was provoked.
“I have a fair level of indifference,” the Queensland state MP, who stood with his father during the press conference, told the ABC.
“I’m not going to say it was an ordinary press conference, but you’ve got to understand I’ve been attending press conferences with my dad since I was a little kid.
“And I’ve seen plenty more aggressive confrontations than that interview.”
