Overview
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese lauded the work and artist David Darcy, noting he sits on the committee that approved the one-off portrait.
- Katter, 80, said the honour should not be read as retirement and claimed he still works 80 hours a week.
- The Kennedy MP’s five-decade career began in Queensland’s parliament in 1974 before entering federal politics in 1993, earning the “Father of the House” label.
- He has drawn criticism for combative conduct, including a recent threat to punch a reporter, which he shrugged off with “out the back of the pub” comments at the event.
- The unveiling came during a tense parliamentary week marked by Question Time theatrics and the Coalition’s unresolved net zero dispute, with a special partyroom meeting and environment law hearings expected in the coming weeks.