Nine Entertainment is considering defamation 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, the member for Kennedy, approached Bavas and shook his fist, saying: “Don’t say that, because you’re a racist. You’re a racist. You cannot say what you just said without being identified as a racist.” The exchange was filmed. Katter later told Bavas he was not “a proper Australian, a fair-minded Australian” and said: “I punch blokes in the mouth for saying that, don’t you dare say that.”
Nine executives are discussing taking legal action, and the company has demanded an apology from Katter. Fiona Dear, Nine’s executive director of news and current affairs, said: “Mr Katter’s aggressive behaviour and threats were unacceptable. His baseless and offensive accusation of racism is an irresponsible attempt to shut down a legitimate line of questioning.”
Bavas, who has covered Katter for more than 15 years, said he was surprised by the outburst as he believed the question was benign. “In my near 20 years in journalism, I’ve never experienced that kind of reaction from an elected representative,” he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticised Katter, saying: “Bob Katter needs to have a look at that footage. Have a look at himself, frankly, and recognise that that’s just not what we expect of any Australian, let alone someone who’s in public office.”
Coalition senator Jane Hume called for consequences, stating: “The idea of threatening violence is entirely unacceptable. There must be consequences.” Katter’s grandfather, Carlyle Assad Khittar, migrated from Lebanon in 1898. Bavas later reminded Katter that they had previously discussed his Lebanese heritage. Katter has previously reacted angrily when asked about his ancestry in relation to his anti-immigration views.
