Carl Katter
Carl Katter | |
|---|---|
| Convenor of the Australian Marriage Equality Group in Victoria[1][2] | |
| In office 18 December 2012 – 30 January 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Branch established |
| Succeeded by | Tim Peppard and Christine Cooke[2] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Carl Robert Katter 12 January 1978 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Political party | Labor |
| Relations | Bob 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 |
| Education | St. Columba Catholic College |
| Alma mater | Griffith University Queensland University of Technology |
| Occupation | Government representative (Department of Conservation, Environment and Planning) |
| Profession | Activist Public servant |
| Website | Victorian 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] Carl 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 northwest of the state. In particular, the small country town of Charters Towers. His parents were federal MP Bob Katter Sr. and Joy Katter, and he is a member of a pioneering Queensland family.[5] Carl came out as gay at the age of 18.[6] Growing up gay in rural North Queensland, Carl felt he often experienced negative attitudes from some of those in his community that existed towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) 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, Carl Katter join 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 said that he could not "just sit back" and allow Bob Katter Jr. to denigrate gay people and the campaign for same-sex marriage, saying: "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 also holds the work that his brother has done for the Kennedy electorate and elsewhere in high regard.[15]
Carl is a member of the Labor Environment Action Network, and wants to continue to build on Labor's approach to climate change in the implementation of the party's policy when it is next elected to national government.
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
He was the Labor candidate for Higgins for the 2016 Federal Election. He won 15% of the vote.[18][19]
References
- ^ http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2012/s3635510.htm?source=rss
- ^ a b https://www.australianmarriageequality.org/2013/01/31/new-conveners-for-ame-victoria-ame-pride-march-contingent-a-first/
- ^ Cook, Henrietta (23 October 2012). "Katter's half-brother joins Labor". The AGE. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
- ^ Cook, Henrietta (23 October 2012). "Katter's brother may run for ALP". The AGE. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
- ^ 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.
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0CF3wz2-wU
- ^ 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.
- ^ Cook, Henrietta (23 October 2012). "Katter's brother may run for ALP". The Age. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
- ^ a b Coorey, Phillip (24 August 2011). "Homosexuality separates Katters". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
- ^ Wright, Tony (24 August 2011). "No gays, Bob? Try closer to home". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
- ^ "About GetUp!". GetUp!. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
- ^ Walker, Jamie (24 August 2011). "Katter's gay sibling hits back at Bob". The Australian. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
- ^ Jabour, Bridie (23 August 2011). "Katter's gay brother airs his disgust". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
- ^ "Carl Katter interview". YouTube. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ^ BunyipBlue1 (15 March 2012), Outrage grows over anti-gay political ad., retrieved 24 February 2016
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/from-a-lifesaver-to-a-judge-and-98-in-between-melbournes-most-notable-20111207-1oj8f.html
- ^ http://www.australianmarriageequality.org/2011/12/28/katter-regional-and-christian-australians-not-bigots/
- ^ "Herald Sun".
- ^ "No conspiracies afoot with Katter's candidacy". Tips and rumours. Crikey. 10 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.