SAEDNEWS: Veteran federal MP Bob Katter thrust his fist toward a journalist and warned he had “punched blokes in the mouth” after being asked about his Lebanese family history during a Brisbane press conference where he spoke about attending an upcoming March for Australia rally.
According to Saed News, the incident unfolded on Thursday outside Queensland’s parliament when Bob Katter, the 80-year-old MP for Kennedy, reacted angrily to a question about his family’s Lebanese heritage — briefly raising his fist toward Channel Nine reporter Josh Bavas and warning, “Don’t say that! Because that irritates me, and I’ve punched blokes in the mouth for saying that.” Video of the exchange circulated widely online.
Footage shows Katter addressing media about his planned appearance at the weekend “March for Australia” anti-immigration rally when a reporter referenced migrant families and his Lebanese ancestry. Katter interrupted, thrust a closed fist in the reporter’s direction and delivered the line referencing past physical confrontations — an exchange that was captured on camera and published by multiple outlets.
In the video Katter cut across the question, saying “Don’t say that!” and adding the widely reported line about having “punched blokes in the mouth” for similar comments. Channel Nine’s reporter stood his ground and later described the moment as an offensive, physical threat. The recording quickly went viral, prompting widespread coverage.
Katter called the presser to announce support for planned March for Australia demonstrations — gatherings widely reported as anti-immigration — and to criticise some recent protests. At the event he also demanded names of attendees at pro-Palestine rallies and said some should be deported, remarks that added to the controversy around the exchange.
