With a federal election due sometime in the next five months, there remains a notable absentee from the list of declared candidates for the seat of Kennedy.
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Both men are from Charters Towers but everyone is waiting on a third Charters Towers man to say he is definitely running again.
That man is, of course, incumbent since 1993, the Katter Party founder Bob Katter, who will turn 74 in May –around the likely timeframe of the election.
It seems certain, however, that Mr Katter will throw his big hat into the ring for a tenth time.
When the North West Star spoke to him just before Christmas, he admitted he had not yet declared for the election “but was acting like he had” and he said if if he did run again he would run on his record especially on irrigation, the banking industry and agriculture.
“Cattle prices have doubled in recent years – I got rid of Gillard (as prime minister) and Rudd re-opened the (export) market,” Mr Katter said.
“I was responsible for that outcome though it nearly cost me in the 2013 election.”
In that election LNP candidate Noeline Ikin pushed him close with Mr Katter winning 52.2 to 47.8 on preferences.
Ms Ikin could not run again in 2016 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour which sadly took her life in early 2017 and Mr Katter comfortably retained his seat.
Mr Katter was less forthcoming on whether he would support a Bill Shorten government, with Labor overwhelming favourites to win the election based on current opinion polls.
He paused at the question and eventually said ,“I think the election will be a lot closer than people think.”
Mr Katter said he believed he could achieve more by working outside the two-party system and giving him the ability to attack them when they did the wrong thing.
“Look at when I criticised Ergon Energy over withdrawing their R44 helicopters,” he said.
“If a party member said what I said they’d be criticised for having a go at a government-owned business.
“But I didn’t care and I got the decision changed within a day of talking about it.”
Mr Katter finished by hinting strongly he still had more work to do in Kennedy.
“I want to stay in and finish the job,” he said.
“I believe I have the knowledge, the experience and the know-how to get things done.”
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