Nine Entertainment is considering legal action against independent MP Bob Katter after he called reporter Josh Bavas a 'racist' and threatened to punch him during a press conference in Brisbane. The incident occurred when Bavas asked Katter about his Lebanese heritage in the context of his support for anti-immigration protests.
Katter, who represents the Queensland seat of Kennedy, approached Bavas, shook his fist, and accused him of racism. The exchange was filmed. Nine executives have demanded a public apology from Katter and are mulling defamation proceedings.
Bavas, a Nine News Queensland reporter with nearly 20 years of journalism experience, said he was surprised by the outburst. 'In my near 20 years in journalism, I've never experienced that kind of reaction from an elected representative,' he said in a statement.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticised Katter's behaviour, saying he 'needs to have a look at that footage' and recognise it is not what is expected of a public official. Coalition senator Jane Hume also called for consequences, stating 'the idea of threatening violence is entirely unacceptable.'
Katter's grandfather, Carlyle Assad Khittar, migrated from Lebanon in 1898. The MP has previously reacted angrily when asked about his ancestry in relation to his anti-immigration views. In 2018, he told a Sky News reporter he needed 'a big hiding' for raising the issue.
