Queensland MP Robbie Katter speaks out on father Bob Katter’s press conference meltdownTegwen BescobyThe NightlyFri, 29 August 2025 12:28PM
Queensland MP Robbie Katter has broken his silence over his father’s extraordinary outburst during a press conference on Thursday.
Maverick MP Bob Katter, 80, was speaking about his support of anti-migration rallies set to be held across Australia over the weekend, when Channel Nine journalist Josh Bavas started to ask about Katter’s family history.
Katter’s grandfather emigrated from Lebanon to Australia in 1898.
“Don’t say that because that irritates me, and I punch blokes in the mouth for saying that,” Mr Katter said, before rejecting further questions from the Channel Nine reporter.
When Mr Bavas tried to rephrase the question, Mr Katter thrust a fist in the journalist’s face and claimed “this man is a racist”.
After the incident attracted attention across the nation, the MP’s son Robbie has addressed his father’s actions.
Robbie Katter is also an elected minister in Federal Parliament, acting as the MP for the Queensland electorate of Traeger.
Katter Jr told the ABC on Friday morning he struggled to understand why the incident was being viewed by the Australian public as “such a big deal”, mentioning his father is an octogenarian and “not entirely physically threatening”.
“(Bob Katter’s) reaction was provoked, the best I can say is a journalist there touched on a deeply personal issue,” Katter Jr said.
“I think (Mr Bavas) did it unwittingly and without any malice, but regardless it’s quite a complicated personal issue that I’m not willing to explain publicly.
“He didn’t take the clues and kept pressing and provoking, generating a more aggressive response than most people are used to.
“If you keep poking the bear sometimes, you know, it’s no big shock that you get an aggressive response.”
When asked about his father issuing an apology to Mr Bavas and Channel Nine over the outburst, the answer was simple: “I’d just say they’re not going to get it.”
“We should have a right to react if we’re being pushed and coerced and provoked.”
Fellow ministers in Parliament from both sides of the political spectrum have issued statements on Friday condemning Katter’s outburst.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the Today Show on Friday morning that he “likes Bob Katter, but the MP needs to have a look at himself and recognise that’s not behaviour expected of any Australian or person who holds public office.”
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler called the behaviour “completely unacceptable”, while Liberal senator Jane Hume said there “must be consequences” for Katter.
Bob Katter is an independent for Katter’s Australia Party, and is federal parliament’s longest-serving MP after winning his seat in 1993.
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