Carl Katter
Convenor of the Australian Marriage Equality Group in Victoria[1][2]
In office
18 December 2012 – 30 January 2013
Preceded byBranch established
Succeeded byTim Peppard
and Christine Cooke[2]
Personal details
Born
Carl Robert Katter

(1978-01-12) 12 January 1978
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Political partyLabor
RelationsBob Katter Jr. (half-brother)
Robbie Katter (half–nephew)
Alex Douglas (half–nephew)
See Katter family
Parent(s)Bob Katter Sr.
Joycelyn Steel
Residence(s)Malvern East, Victoria, Australia
EducationSt. Columba Catholic College
Alma materGriffith University
Queensland University of Technology
OccupationGovernment representative
(Department of Conservation, Environment and Planning)
ProfessionActivist
Public servant
WebsiteVictorian Labor profile

Carl Robert Katter (born 12 January 1978) is a member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and was that party's candidate for the seat of Higgins for the 2016 federal election.[3][4] Katter is also known for having been involved in the push for LGBT rights during his political career.

Early years and background

Carl Katter was born in Brisbane, Queensland, and grew up in the north of the state including Charters Towers. His parents were federal MP Bob Katter Sr. and Joy Katter, and he is a member of a pioneering Queensland family.[5] Katter came out as gay at the age of 18.[6] Growing up gay in rural North Queensland, he felt he often experienced negative attitudes from some of those in his community that existed towards gay people at the time.

Bob Katter Sr, Carl's father, who died when Carl was 12 years old, was a member of the Australian Parliament representing the federal electorate of Kennedy. The younger Katter was heavily influenced by his father's labour and trade unionist politics, and by his father's belief in equality for people of all races.[7]

Activism

In August 2011, Bob Katter Jr, Katter's half-brother[8] and member of Parliament representing the seat of Kennedy, like his father before him, appeared at a right wing Christian rally at the Great Hall in Parliament House and decried same-sex marriage.[9] Carl reportedly watched on television as his half-brother mocked same-sex marriage and suggested that it "deserves to be laughed at and ridiculed."[10]

Deciding publicly to come out regarding his own homosexuality, Katter joined the push for the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Australia.[9] He approached GetUp!, an independent Australian grass-roots community advocacy organisation,[11] and with their help produced an online video message to counter his brother's comments. In a television interview with George Negus, Katter criticized his brother's remarks, saying that "it's hurtful, it's dangerous, and it's really inappropriate."[12][13]

Katter has stated that he believes that it is better to combat his brother's views and educate rather than attack his brother on a personal level.[14] He holds the work that his brother has done for the Kennedy electorate and elsewhere in high regard.[15]

Recognition

In 2011, Katter was included in The Age’s Top 100 most influential Melburnians.[16]

Engagement

Katter was a guest speaker at the Metropolitan Community Church's 2011 annual Christmas event, hosted by Justice Michael Kirby, where he gave a speech about marriage equality.[17]

Political career

Katter was the Labor candidate for Higgins for the 2016 Federal Election. He won 15% of the vote.[18][19]

References

  1. ↑ "Same sex marriage rallies in regional Australia". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 November 2012.
  2. 1 2 "New conveners for AME Victoria; AME Pride March contingent "a first" | Australian Marriage Equality".
  3. ↑ Cook, Henrietta (23 October 2012). "Katter's half-brother joins Labor". The AGE. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
  4. ↑ Cook, Henrietta (23 October 2012). "Katter's brother may run for ALP". The AGE. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
  5. ↑ Lindsay, Ted (8 May 1990). "Death of Hon R.C. Katter". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. Archived from the original on 14 May 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
  6. ↑ "- YouTube". YouTube.
  7. ↑ Hewson, John (8 May 1990). "Death of Hon R.C. Katter". Hansard. Parliament of Australia. Archived from the original on 14 May 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
  8. ↑ Cook, Henrietta (23 October 2012). "Katter's brother may run for ALP". The Age. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  9. 1 2 Coorey, Phillip (24 August 2011). "Homosexuality separates Katters". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
  10. ↑ Wright, Tony (24 August 2011). "No gays, Bob? Try closer to home". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
  11. ↑ "About GetUp!". GetUp!. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  12. ↑ Walker, Jamie (24 August 2011). "Katter's gay sibling hits back at Bob". The Australian. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
  13. ↑ Jabour, Bridie (23 August 2011). "Katter's gay brother airs his disgust". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
  14. ↑ "Carl Katter interview". YouTube. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  15. ↑ BunyipBlue1 (15 March 2012), Outrage grows over anti-gay political ad., retrieved 24 February 2016{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ↑ "From a lifesaver to a judge and 98 in between, Melbourne's most notable". 7 December 2011.
  17. ↑ "Katter: Regional and Christian Australians not bigots | Australian Marriage Equality".
  18. ↑ "Herald Sun".
  19. ↑ "No conspiracies afoot with Katter's candidacy". Tips and rumours. Crikey. 10 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
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