General News
7 November, 2025
Official portrait of Bob Katter unveiled at Parliament House
The painting is a recognition of five decades of service to the people of North Queensland as a state and federal MP.
A special portrait of Bob Katter was unveiled yesterday in Canberra to mark the Member for Kennedy's 50 years of service to the Queensland and federal parliaments.
Painted by award-winning artist David Darcy, the portrait will remain at Parliament House.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to the long-serving MP at the function in front of Mr Katter's family, friends and colleagues.
“Bob has become one of Australia’s most recognisable figures,” Mr Albanese said.
“There’s no mistaking that face or voice … we’ve seen him dressed as a pig, we’ve seen him dressed as the grim reaper.
“There will be a corner of this Parliament House that is forever Bob Katter.”
Mr Katter believed the portrait meant more than just paying tribute to one person.
“This is not a painting of a person and I hope no one sees it that way,” he said.
“It is recognition of people who have very strong feelings about their country to make it a land of opportunity.”
Mr Katter was first elected to state parliament in 1974 and switched to federal politics in the 1990s, winning the seat of Kennedy in 1993.
He has been a member of the Nationals, was an independent, and now represents the Katter's Australian Party, which is led by his son, Robbie.
When asked by reporters if he still had a few more elections left in him, Mr Katter replied: "yeah!"
“I amaze myself. I’m still doing an 80-hour week, much to the horror of my staff; they have to work a 60 or 70-hour week.”
The 80-year-old thanked Mr Albanese for his tribute, admitting they'd "had words in the past".
“But whatever your shortcomings may be, I consider you a good friend,” he said
“I just need the money for the completion of the (Hann) Highway.”
