Calls for consequences, apology after Bob Katter threatens to punch journalist

A growing number of politicians have called for consequences or an apology after independent MP Bob Katter threatened to punch a journalist.

At a press conference in Brisbane yesterday morning, Katter was expressing support for anti-immigration rallies scheduled across the country this weekend when 9News reporter Josh Bavas began asking him about his Lebanese heritage.

Bavas was unable to finish his question before the furious MP interjected.

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"Oh mate, don't say that because that irritates me," Katter shouted.

"I've punched blokes in the mouth for saying that, don't you dare say that.

"My family have been in this country for 140 years.

"And if you say anything like that, I have on many occasions, punched blokes in the mouth. So I'm restraining myself today."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has suggested Katter "have a look at himself".

"Bob Katter, I like," Albanese said on Today.

"But Bob Katter needs to take a look at that footage, have a look at himself, frankly.

"That's just not what we expect of any Australian, let alone someone in public office."

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Former deputy prime minister and Labor Party President Wayne Swan also appeared on Today this morning, calling on Katter to apologise and "take the journo for a beer".

Independent MP Dai Le said being questioned as a migrant triggered some people.

"Some people get triggered by that question... because they see themselves as an Aussie."

Health minister Mark Butler also branded the display "unacceptable".

Victorian Liberal Senator Jane Hume today told Sunrise being a "colourful character" was "no excuse for inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour".

"You should always be able to feel safe and respected at work, journalists and politicians," Hume said.

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"The idea of threatening violence is entirely unacceptable.

"There must be consequences."

She suggested the incident should be looked at by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission.

Is Bob Katter of Lebanese descent?

Archival records suggest Bob Katter's grandfather migrated to Australia from Lebanon around the late 1800s as Carlyle Assad Khittar before changing his name to Carl Robert Katter.

Bob Katter, who was born in the Queensland town of Cloncurry in 1945, has a history of reacting angrily to questions about his heritage, having described similar questions as racist in 2018.

At another point in yesterday's press conference, Bavas began a question by saying: "Regardless of the country, there are people who have come here from other countries, like yourself, like your family, that have good values."

That sparked another angry interjection from Katter, who strode up to Bavas, pointing his finger and shaking his fist close to the reporter's face.

"No, listen, just don't say that, don't say that because you're a racist," he said.

"You cannot say what you've just said without being identified as a racist.

"So gentlemen, ladies, this man is a racist."

Nine's news and current affairs director Fiona Dear later issued a statement demanding an apology and branding the accusation of racism as "baseless and offensive".

What are the March for Australia protests?

Anti-immigration rallies have been scheduled in all Australian capital cities for this Sunday, August 31 with demonstrations also expected in some regional cities.

The March for Australia website says the demonstration is calling for an "end to mass migration".

"Australia is changing in ways most of us never agreed to," it reads.

"People are waking up to a country they barely recognise.

"Endless migration, weak leadership, and political cowardice have brought us here, and it's time to put a stop to it."

Katter has expressed support for the movement and intends to attend the Brisbane rally.

"If you have anti-Australian sentiments, then get the hell out of my country, because we are taking the names down now of anyone that treats our flag badly," he said at another point in the press conference.

"We're taking their names down. The gloves are coming right off."

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The government is opposed to the planned rallies, criticising them as un-Australian.

"There is no place in our country for people who seek to divide and undermine our social cohesion," Home Affairs minister Tony Burke said.

"We stand with modern Australia against these rallies - nothing could be less Australian."

Multicultural Affairs minister Anne Aly slammed the rallies as racist.

"We stand with all Australians, no matter where they were born, against those who seek to divide us, and who seek to intimidate migrant communities," she said.

"We will not be intimidated.

"This brand of far-right activism grounded in racism and ethnocentrism has no place in modern Australia."

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