Aussies to lose influence of RBA in overlooked review recommendation
May 11, 2023
KATTER’S Australian Party MP Bob Katter is disgusted that a review of the Reserve Bank of Australia is recommending removal of the Parliamentary oversight and allowing the central bank to become even more autonomous and out of touch with everyday Australians.
“We had an opportunity here for the RBA to address the soaring cost of living and highly inflated housing market,” Mr Katter said after sitting through a recent parliamentary briefing of the review’s findings.
“Yet we have an organisation that could lead this reform, instead so drunk on power and ego that they are now proposing that their decisions should go unquestioned and unexplained.”
Mr Katter said the overlooked recommendation 1 on page 4 of the RBA review read: “To further support the RBA’s monetary policy independence, the power of the Government to override decisions of the Reserve Bank Board should be repealed.”
Mr Katter said if the RBA had the capacity to “prop up” the big banks, then it should also be capable of investing in nation-building, money-making projects and infrastructure, at the command of the government.
“The principle which allowed the government to override the RBA’s decisions was introduced following great Labor leader Ted Theodore’s directive in 1930 to the then central bank governor to issue new notes and invest in public works to create employment.
“Now, our governments go on about bringing back Australia manufacturing and reconstruction funds, so if they’re real about investing in public works, they’ll give the people of Australia a voice to direct the RBA on its decision making.
“Now, any oversight we had over the RBA is being repealed, and both major parties are willing to accept this recommendation.
He said all the “buzzwords” being reported following the review, including “more transparency” and “accountability” of the RBA board meant little, if the people of Australia through their government had no power over the financial institution.
“Australians are struggling to buy groceries, pay for healthcare, pay electricity, fuel and rent and mortgages, and trusted the RBA to guide them through this financial pain,” Mr Katter said.
Crisis talks, led by Katter's Australian Party Leader Robbie Katter, Mount Isa Mayor Peta MacRae, with key stakeholders, recognise that the future of the entire region is at risk if Mount Isa is lost as the administrative hub of the North West Critical Minerals Province. "We need to implement 'use it or lose it' policy – meaning Glencore must be forced to sell if they won't operate," Mr Katter explained. "The smelter must stay open and we need to make CopperString happen now. All of these things are linked; they all play a significant role in ensuring Queensland's economic stability and Australia's national sovereignty." Mr Katter said the nation's future was at risk if governments continued to cave to foreign-owned corporations. "There is $680 billion worth of copper in the North West Minerals Province – just sitting there. To put that in context, the 2024-25 projected federal revenue is $711.5 billion. "And the audacity of Glencore to ask for $2 billion – this is not a handout to a foreign corporation – it absolutely cannot be. If Glencore wants government money, then at the very least, there must be a ceding of 50% control – or they get nothing. "Let them close the mine if they want – then the government must, by law, impose rehabilitation and remediation. I've got mates who close mines and get hit with huge bills. But when it comes to big foreign corporations, it seems in Queensland, there's one set of rules for us and another for them. "We will assert our sovereignty, and I'll tell you now – we'll be taking names of those who don't back us on this. Because if you're not fighting for Australia's ownership of its resources, you're not Australian. "We've got to start having some tough conversations in Brisbane and Canberra, and that's really got to happen in the next four to six weeks, or we're going to be in deep trouble. "I want to congratulate Mayor Peta MacRae, the Mount Isa City Council, and Robbie Katter – they're doing everything they can. But we need the rest of the country to wake up." Bob and Robbie Katter are hosting a public 'Future of Mount Isa' meeting on Friday, June 6, at 6.30pm at the Barkly Hotel in Mount Isa. For more information or to register, please call 07 4743 3534 or email Bob.Katter@aph.gov.au. ENDS
"The Port of Darwin must be owned by the Australian people," Mr Katter said. "With an emerging diplomatic rough between China and the US over ownership, it is most extraordinary that the Australian Government appears unwilling, or unable, to see the value and strategic importance of such critical infrastructure. "Why are we not fighting tooth and nail to ensure our most strategic port is not controlled by a foreign corporation? Even if it is our friends, the Americans. "This megalomaniac obsession with globalism and free-marketism has crippled our nation. Until recently, key assets like the Darwin Port were owned by the Australian Government – as they were for all of our history.
"Since the dawn of time, man has been riding horses, and he will continue to do so until the end of time," Mr Katter said. "Our history, not just in Australia but across the world, has been shaped on horseback. You can't understand world history without understanding the role that horses played on the Silk Road – from China to Europe, those horses were the beating heart of civilisation. "Working with horses gives you courage, discipline, and pride – all the things our country desperately needs more of," he said. "Horse riding is the most enjoyable pastime – and it keeps you fit and grounded in the real world, not glued to a screen. "I've never been real keen on trekking. I've done about six or seven hundred kilometres in the army and another eight or nine hundred kilometres along the road to St Francis station in my prospecting days. I've been extremely keen on horses ever since." Kisten Bodkin, President of the Gordonvale Pony Club, said pony clubs are for anyone, even those like Mr Katter whose riding careers have been less than glorious. "Horse riding builds more than just riding skills. We've always said that 'pony club is fun', and that's kind of our motto. Even when you're having a rough time, pony club is fun, and it's truly for everyone. "Working with horses teaches personal responsibility and discipline, and gives a goal for young people to aim for, and we love seeing them excel at their passion. "Even though it's an individual sport, you learn how to socialise with people of all ages and you make lifelong friends. "We've seen ourselves and our children grow up, and while school friendships often drift apart, the pony club friendships just seem to stand the test of time." Zoe Macor, Secretary of the Gordonvale Pony Club, said the club has become a multi-generational legacy in her family. "My kids have grown up in the club and are now instructors here, and my grandchildren are coming up the ranks as well. "It's wonderful seeing our children travel to state and national events. The kids see their instructors riding and competing, and have something to strive for. "With three generations of our family involved in the club, well there's nothing quite like it." Mr Katter encouraged locals to saddle up for a night of entertainment at the Gordonvale Round of the 2025 Great Northern Bullriding Series this Saturday, May 24th, from 7pm. The event will raise funds for grounds and facilities upgrades, ensuring up-and-coming riders have a place to grow their skills for years to come. ENDS
"Yesterday we had one party, the LNP, with no direction. Today we have two parties with no direction," stated Mr Katter. "Australia is in desperate need of an Opposition that can hold the ALP Government to account. Instead what we are receiving is an Opposition in complete disarray." "True to form, neither the Liberals or the Nationals can agree to a position on net zero, nuclear, coal or renewables. Instead they are both blindly going down the path of higher energy prices and severe energy shortages. They have no alternative, no criticism, no set direction." "The Liberals and Nationals have destroyed almost every rural industry that has supported them. They deregulated or opened to the "free" market; sugar, tobacco, maize, peanuts, flowers, grapes, avocados, citrus and many other primary industries." "The newly elected Liberals leader, Sussan Ley, led the charge to ban live-sheep export – overnight destroying the livelihoods of many hard working rural families. Littleproud has got very little to be proud of for not even fighting this in the slightest but rather standing behind wiping the tears from his eyes." "Don't be fooled – cattle will be next. They are no friend to the farmer." "For many years the policy lines between the ALP, LNP, Liberals and Nationals have been blurred, marred by political infighting rather than genuine and meaty debates on the direction that our once great nation is taking." "One thing is true now more than ever, Katter's Australian Party is the true Opposition." ENDS
Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has unleashed a blistering attack on the Chalmers short-sighted tax grab on superannuation that will "rip the guts out of middle Australia" and fundamentally change our attitude to placing our savings in super to fund our retirement. Mr Katter echoed sentiments of many in the financial and agricultural sectors that are calling the plan, to impose steep taxes on unrealised capital gains in super accounts, ludicrous. "Unrealised capital gains" are not an income or tangible money – rather, these gains are "theoretical, paper money". The asset must be sold before the gain is made. "This policy will have a catastrophic effect on anyone that has a farm, house or similar asset that is held by a super fund. If the market value increases, you will get a huge tax bill and, unless you have significant savings elsewhere, you will have to sell the asset to pay this crushing tax bill," Mr Katter explained. "Land appreciation doesn't mean you're rich in cash," he said. "It means your rates go up, your insurance goes up, and now, thanks to this lunacy, your tax goes up too. And for what? For a so-called 'equity measure' that punishes the people who actually invest in this country." Investing in capital appreciating assets is a way the government has encouraged people to set themselves up to protect their future, and now the government is moving the goalposts. "This isn't going to hurt the big corporates. This isn't going to hurt the mega-rich. This is going to break the back of middle Australia." "You keep putting weight on the camel, eventually you'll break the camel's back," Mr Katter said. "We had 276,000 farmers. Then Mr Keating started his deregulation dirty work, and the National Party carried it on. Now we have about 80,000 farmers. Well, you blokes won't stop until we have none." "This story will be repeated for family run businesses and family owned housing investments." Mr Katter is calling for the government to immediately withdraw the policy, warning that failure to do so will accelerate the decline of the nation's farming and small business backbone, and force more Australians off the land, out of business and onto the dole queue. "If the government really wanted to do something helpful for Australians, it should legislate to require a large portion of super investment in Australian manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture, mining and other economy-generating projects, not create short-sighted, tax-grabbing policies that will drive investment overseas." ENDS
Elections aren't won by blokes in suits. They're won on the backs of the people who stand out in the sun and the rain, handing out how-to-vote cards for days on end. So, this victory belongs to them. God bless every one of you. I can't thank you enough. The same goes for my wife Susie, my five children, and even my grandchildren, who have worked tirelessly throughout this campaign to make so much of it happen. I certainly couldn't have done this without them. To my staff, who give their all (and then some) daily for the people of Kennedy... Thank you.
KAP Federal Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter MP, has applauded the Hinchinbrook community after the final State Government approvals were granted for the long-awaited Prescribed Tidal Works (Dungeness Breakwater and Dredging) project – marking a significant milestone in the fight to restore marine access to Dungeness and beyond. With the State's final tick of approval and Hinchinbrook Shire Council's endorsement of the Change Application, the project is now primed for shovel-ready status. The works include dredging the Enterprise Channel to allow all-tide marine access, and construction of a rock breakwater to reinstate the former sea wall, which was devastated during major weather events, including Cyclone Yasi. Mr Katter praised Hinchinbrook Mayor Ramon Jayo and State Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto, for their tireless, years-long fight to push the project through the bureaucratic mire. "This is a win for the people of Hinchinbrook. Mayor Jayo and Nick Dametto have fought like hell – like true tiger fighters – to keep this project alive and on the agenda – and now the approvals are finally in hand," Mr Katter said. With an estimated $12 million needed to complete construction, Mr Katter said he would turn his attention to putting the full weight of his office behind securing federal funding should he be re-elected. "The next fight is for federal funding. And I give you my word: if I'm returned to Canberra, I will make this project a priority. I'll take it straight to the Government and demand the $12 million needed to get it done." Mr Katter stressed the importance of the project not just for Hinchinbrook, but for the broader North Queensland marine economy. "Once complete, this project will unlock all-tidal access for recreational and commercial fishing vessels not only into Dungeness, but also to the Palm Island group and the Great Barrier Reef. We've seen what all-weather access can do for small communities at Mission Beach. It has been life-changing for those businesses that use the waterways for their livelihood or lifestyle. "The people of Hinchinbrook deserve nothing less than the same infrastructure." ENDS
FEDERAL Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has come out swinging after Queensland's Weapons Licensing bureaucrats effectively shut down long-standing ANZAC Day commemorations by historical re-enactment groups, calling it "soulless, tone-deaf bureaucracy at its absolute worst." Mr Katter was alerted by Robert Finlay—a member of the Australian Living History Federation—that living history groups were being blocked from participating in ANZAC Day and other commemorative events due to shifting interpretations of licensing conditions. "These are not wild gun fanatics or some fringe mob," Mr Katter said. "These are our ex-servicemen, history enthusiasts, and community volunteers—many of them older veterans—who respectfully reenact military scenes to bring our past to life and honour our fallen. "And now, some bureaucrat sitting in a Brisbane office has decided they know better than the Minister, better than our RSLs, and better than common sense—and has told them to stop." The Australian Living History Federation and its member groups have followed the same licensing conditions since 2017, under exemptions MR4 and MR5 of Queensland's weapons licensing framework. These conditions set out the responsibilities for safe, respectful use of blank-fire and replica weapons during public displays. "Let me be very clear," Mr Katter continued, "there's been no change to the Weapons Act. There's no new regulation. No incident. Just an overzealous department deciding ANZAC Day needs to be micromanaged and possibly cancelled, unless these groups jump through a whole new set of invisible hoops." Emails from Mr Finlay show that despite providing all required notices and documentation—including safety guidelines and public liability insurance—the group was told they must now seek full approval for events they are merely participating in, not organising. Even attempts to clarify the matter with the Queensland Police Minister's office were brushed aside by Weapons Licensing, who appear unwilling to budge. "This is bureaucracy gone rogue. And what's worse—it's at the expense of ANZAC Day," Mr Katter said. "We've got crime exploding in regional Queensland and they're worried about a bloke in a slouch hat firing blanks in a tribute parade." "I'll be taking this to Canberra if it isn't resolved. These people are doing this out of respect, out of patriotism, and out of deep love for this country's history. And it's time our public servants showed a bit of the same." ENDS
FEDERAL Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has taken aim at supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths for refusing to display a simple nativity scene at Easter, calling it a disgraceful rejection of the very foundation of the holiday. Mr Katter released a video over the weekend slamming the corporate chains after they declined to display a small pop-out featuring Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in a stable—an item offered to all supermarkets in Cairns. “All the independents were more than happy to put it up,” Mr Katter said. “But Coles and Woolies? They turned their noses up at it.” The outspoken MP said he was “furious” and reminded viewers that Easter is about much more than chocolate eggs and retail profits. “Two thousand years ago, a baby was born in a shed out the back of a pub. This kid grew up and became pretty famous. He travelled around saying you should love your neighbour and make the world a better place.” “Well, let me remind you what happened to the money changers in the temple. They burnt in hell. And there's a message there for the likes of Woolworths and Coles.” Mr Katter accused the major supermarkets of profiting off Easter and Christmas while refusing to acknowledge their true meaning. “They make squillions off this time of year, flogging chocolate bunnies and hot cross buns months in advance—but when it comes to honouring what it’s all about, they disappear.” This latest outburst follows Mr Katter’s ongoing campaign against the supermarket duopoly, including a protest with farmers and fellow MP Andrew Gee outside a Woolworths in Bathurst last week. The protest focused on skyrocketing grocery prices and the pressure being placed on Australian producers. In March 2024, Mr Katter also introduced a private members bill to Parliament that seeks to reduce the market power of Coles and Woolworths by 20 per cent over five years and establish a new commissioner for food retailing. “The fight’s far from over,” he said. “Whether it’s price gouging, crushing our farmers, or scrubbing out our Christian values—I’ll keep calling them out.” ENDS
KAP Federal Member Bob Katter and Independent Member for Calare, Andrew Gee have been flanked by farmers out the front of a Woolworths in Bathurst in New South Wales to continue to crusade against the supermarket duopoly and to blow the whistle on the monstrous, unjustified markups of everyday fruit and vegetables. "The ACCC said in their February 2025 report there was no evidence of price gouging despite the fact that they are among the most profitable supermarkets in the world. Well, if you believe that, you believe in the tooth fairy and we will be moving for the head of the ACCC to be sacked when Parliament resumes," Mr Katter said. He said the rage he felt after reading the report left him with no other option but to prove farm gate prices in another part of the country were as bad as in north Queensland. "It is clear we set the agenda last year when we started the parliamentary year with an enormously powerful pig suit "snouts in the trough" stunt. On that same day, Woolworths reduced the price of over 400 items of food, and we introduced the Reducing Supermarket Dominance Bill. Then, every other party announced they would be moving for divestiture." Mr Katter said that the farm price "stunt" in Bathurst drew the attention needed to ensure that Australian voters understood the two major "big boys" in the Parliament will look after the interests of the two "big boys" outside the Parliament, and that only independent MPs would be able to pressure the government into action. "The spotlight has been put fairly and squarely on the supermarket giants and what happens to parasites under the bright heat of a spotlight? They perish," Mr Katter said. Hon Andrew Gee said, "We need to get the snouts of the supermarket giants out of the money trough. "They are wallowing in world-leading profits while paying our farmers a pittance and price gouging consumers on the way through. It's shocking behaviour in a cost-of-living crisis. "Our Bill would give farmers a better deal at the farm gate and consumers a better deal at the checkout. "It would even the playing field between farmers and consumers on the one hand, and the supermarket giants on the other. "Coles and Woolies are amongst the most profitable supermarkets in the world. They have an 80 per cent market share and prices have risen 24 per cent in the last five years. These profits have been made at a huge cost to our farmers and their own customers. It's disgraceful. "Farmers are leaving the land because they can't make a decent return, and consumers are at breaking point. "Our Bill is a gamechanger that will finally bring these price gougers to account," Mr Gee said. Mr Katter said he had been contacted by farmers and consumers from all over the country who had asked him to continue to fight on their behalf after being squeezed for years by the greedy supermarket giants and their market power. "A number of our farmers pay themselves some of the lowest wages in Australia. Recent calculations are that most farmers are paying themselves less than $2 an hour," he said. "The return that an Australian farmer can get for their produce is generally split with 50 per cent going to wages, a further 49 per cent covering transport, fertiliser, packaging and farm maintenance, leaving only 1 per cent for the farming family. "I mean, are we just going to let them continue screwing the farmers down through the floor and charging the consumers a 'squillion' dollars? No bloody way." The Reducing Supermarket Dominance Bill introduced to Parliament in March 2024: Forces divestiture of the supermarkets and their market power in the grocery sector to a maximum of 20 per cent within five years. Provides for 100 per cent markup on the price paid to producers, to what is charged to consumers. Scraps the 'food and grocery code of conduct', noting it fails to address power imbalances and instead provides a mechanism by which supermarkets control suppliers and producers. FARM GATE VERSUS SUPERMARKET PRICES
