Bob Katter has been the Federal Member for Kennedy since 1993, following a highly successful career in State politics where he held four Ministerial positions. He follows in his father's footsteps as the Member for Kennedy, with Hon. R.C. Katter Sr. holding the seat for 24 years.
Originally a National Party member for most of his Parliamentary career, due to his disenchantment with economic rationality that he felt the National Party was adopting, he chose to stand as an Independent Member in the 2001 Federal election ... he won in a landslide!
The vast majority of constituents know why Bob left the Coalition government, simply because the Federal Government seems unwilling to accept that policies of National Competition Policy and economic rationalism have had a devastating impact on the electorate and other areas of Australia.
Bob is now free to vote in line with his conscience and the feelings and needs of the people of the electorate, without being restricted by party lines and politics.
The people of Kennedy have always been independent minded and acutely aware that policies which suit heavily populated centres do not necessarily work for those living in Northern and Western Queensland.
In his role as the Federal Member for Kennedy, Bob is a jack-of-all-trades and a representative for electorate industries and any issues involving his constituents. Bob Katter knows how to be controversial when the needs of his electorate demands it, and to bring local issue to the attention of the national media.
Bob's duties on the national stage include being a spokesperson for local interests, a lawmaker, a debater and an ombudsman.
The demands of being an elected representative of the public means each MP must decide their own priorities and Bob has an enormous task in doing the best possible job for Kennedy.