Northern-based LNP Senator Ian Macdonald questioned the Kennedy KAP MHR for his “apparent disregard for the conventions of representative government”.

 “Mr Katter has been present in the house for 57 of the 202 votes that have taken place” said Senator Macdonald.

 “That is 28 per cent of the parliamentary votes that have occurred since the election.

‘‘Only Clive Palmer had a worse record – and that’s hardly a yardstick for comparison.’’

According to Senator Macdonald, Mr Katter’s absences had robbed the people of Kennedy of a voice in the Australian Parliament.

 “The good people of Kennedy deserve far better than this,” Senator Macdonald said.

Mr Katter was busy meeting and dealing with issues in his electorate and was not available for comment, but a spokesman from his office defended his record.

“Not every vote in Parliament relates to legislation or key issues,” the spokesman said.

‘‘Indeed many of the votes in the 44th Parliament are non-substantive/procedural divisions – colloquially dubbed ‘party games’ at the expense of scheduled Parliamentary business, such as the debate and passage of legislation.’’

The spokesman said ‘‘party game’’ votes usually had no significant purpose other than to delay or obstruct debate to achieve the annoyance or embarrassment of the opposing party.  “Mostly these votes are brought on by the opposition and targeted at the government, or vice-versa,” the spokesman said.  “Mr Katter rarely participates in ‘party game’ votes.”