Can You Help?

This website is in imminent danger of being shut down. It has been online since 1995, but the personal circumstances of the owner, Malcolm Farnsworth, are such that economies have to be made. Server costs and suchlike have become prohibitive. At the urging of people online, I have agreed to see if Patreon provides a solution. More information is available at the Patreon website. If you are able to contribute even $1.00/month to keep the site running, please click the Patreon button below.


Become a Patron!


Bob Katter’s Bizarre Speech On Same-Sex Marriage

Dec 06, 2017

Bob Katter, the independent member for Kennedy, has delivered a speech on same-sex marriage to the House of Representatives.

Katter’s speech was the last for the day and came on the eve of the House voting for the legislation.

Katter, 72, was elected to the House as a National Party member in 1993. Since 2001, he has won the seat as an independent. Since 2011, he has headed an eponymous party, Katter’s Australian Party.

Prior to entering federal parliament, Katter was Queensland MLA for Flinders (1974-1992). He was Minister for Development and Community Services (1983-1989) and Minister for Mines and Energy (1989) under the Bjelke-Petersen, Ahern and Cooper National Party governments.

  • Listen to Katter’s speech (16m)
  • Watch Katter (16m)

Hansard transcript of Bob Katter’s speech to the House of Representatives on same-sex marriage.

Mr KATTER (Kennedy) (22:06): I’m glad I made a mistake and had to come down early so that I could hear the speeches, as I know now why I do not sit here and listen to speeches or question time. I have heard a conglomeration of snivelling drivel in my life, but there is not the slightest scintilla of intellectual content in any one of tonight’s speeches. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Audio, Independents, Legislation, LGBTI, Video Tagged With: , ,

Bob Katter Advertisement Raises Eyebrows

Jun 15, 2016

Bob Katter has posted a video advertisement on YouTube that depicts him having shot the ALP and LNP.

The advertisement raised eyebrows today, given its proximity to the shootings in Orlando, Florida, this week.

The theme of the ad is that “Australia is not for sale”. It shows two characters, the ALP and LNP, putting up an “Australia for Sale” sign, which Katter removes. The ad concludes with Katter painting “Australia NOT for Sale” on the sign and blowing smoke from a pistol as the camera rises to show the two characters apparently lying dead. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2016 Federal Election, Election Advertisements, Video Tagged With: , , , ,

2013 Primary Vote Winners, Preference Vote Losers

Nov 01, 2013

There were 15 seats in the 2013 federal election where the primary vote leaders were defeated after the full distribution of preferences.

In 12 seats, all held by the ALP, the coalition candidate led on primary votes but the seat was won by the ALP after preferences. In 3 seats, coalition leads were overtaken by independent or third-party candidates.

The 15 seats were concentrated in Victoria (7), Queensland (5) and New South Wales (3).

Overall, 53 (35.3%) of the 150 House of Representatives electorates were decided on primary votes, whilst 97 (64.7%) required preference distribution to obtain a winner.

It is worth noting that 82 of the 97 electorates were won after preferences by the candidates who led the primary vote count. Even with preferences, a primary vote lead is difficult to overcome. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2013 Federal Election, A.L.P., Election Statistics, Primary Votes, Two-Party-Preferred Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,