Katter Portrait Unveiled in Parliament as MP Launches Scathing Attack on ‘Canberra Mandarin Class’
CANBERRA, 20 January 2026 – Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has been formally honoured with the unveiling of his official portrait in Parliament House, even as the veteran politician used a parliamentary speech to deliver a fiery broadside against government overreach, labelling Canberra bureaucrats a “Mandarin class” divorced from the realities of regional Australia.
Parliamentary Honour for a Political Maverick
The portrait, painted by renowned Australian artist David Darcy, was unveiled last week in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Speaker of the House Milton Dick. The work joins a select collection in Parliament House, reserved for former Prime Ministers, Speakers, Governor Generals and others deemed to have made a significant contribution to the nation.
In his address, Mr Katter paid tribute to his family, political mentors including Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, and the generations of Australians who built the country. “This is not a painting of ‘a person’ and I hope nobody sees it that way,” Mr Katter said. “It’s recognition of people that have very strong feelings about this country, to make it a land of opportunity.”
He also acknowledged his long-standing, if occasionally fractious, friendship with the Prime Minister, stating: “Albo, we’ve had words in the past, but whatever your shortcomings may be, I consider you a good friend.”
Fiery Speech Defends Land Rights and Lambasts ‘Shiny Backsides’
The honour coincided with Mr Katter delivering a characteristically robust speech during a debate on environmental legislation. The Kennedy MP launched a passionate defence of landholders’ rights, arguing that fifth-generation farmers and graziers were better custodians of the land than public servants in Canberra.
“They’re going to tell me what I can and can’t do with my land,” Mr Katter told the chamber. “Who is better qualified… some beggar sitting on his backside here who’s a fifth-generation public servant in Canberra?”
He framed the debate as a fundamental clash between regional Australians and a powerful, disconnected bureaucracy, repeatedly using the term “Mandarin class” to describe Canberra’s ruling elite. “I lose my land rights, as a person that loves the land and has lived in the land all my life, and they’re given to someone down here,” he said.
The speech also touched on feral animal management, the founding of the Labor Party in North Queensland pubs, and what he described as the laughter of city-based MPs at the concerns of people living on the land.
Community Service and Ongoing Advocacy
Separately, Mr Katter was honoured to attend a commemorative service held by the Herbert River RSL Sub Branch in Ingham yesterday, reflecting on the service of Australian defence personnel.
The MP remains active on several key regional issues, recently urging the government to redirect leftover disaster funds to combat a locust plague and continuing his long-standing advocacy for a sovereign fuel security policy and the development of a biofuels industry.
Key Facts: Bob Katter MP
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Role | Federal Member for Kennedy (Katter’s Australian Party) |
| Recent Honour | Official portrait unveiled in Parliament House (January 2026) |
| Key Political Focus | Regional development, land rights, fuel security, agriculture |
| Electorate Office Contact | Local Call: 1300 301 942 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ‘Mandarin class’ reference Bob Katter used?
In his speech, Mr Katter used the historical term “Mandarin class” – a reference to the powerful scholarly bureaucrats who governed imperial China – to criticise what he sees as a self-perpetuating, powerful bureaucracy in Canberra that makes decisions for regional Australians without understanding their lives.
Who painted Bob Katter’s official portrait?
The portrait was painted by acclaimed Australian artist David Darcy, whose work joins a prestigious collection in Parliament House that includes portraits of former Prime Ministers and Governors-General.
What are Bob Katter’s main policy priorities currently?
Beyond his defence of landholder rights, Mr Katter is actively advocating for a national reserve resource policy, action on a locust plague affecting Queensland agriculture, and greater fuel security through domestic biofuel production.