After postponing his initial appearance at Farm Writers a few months ago, the ever-colourful Australian politician Bob Katter finally made it to Sydney last week. His timing was impeccable, coinciding perfectly with his beloved North Queensland Cowboys’ NRL finals appearance.
The room was packed, evidence of the magnetic draw that Katter, an outspoken, larger-than-life personality, has on audiences. Joining as guests at my table were Gemma Holly from global farm machinery giant CNH Industrial (an early but no longer current client of ours) and Andrea Koch from ExoFlare, one of our newest clients, who are leading the way in biosecurity technology.
Although Katter has been a political figure for more than four decades, I must admit I didn’t know him much beyond his public persona—often blunt, unfiltered, and frequently a magnet for media attention. An impassioned advocate for Queensland and for rural and regional Australia, striving to protect farmers, address economic disparities in rural areas, and stand up for Australian industry against the tide of foreign ownership.
But as we spent 60 minutes navigating conversation and Q&A—while enjoying one of the best beef meals I’ve had in a long time—it was clear that Katter had more for me than I had previously thought. His provocative style delivered a few poignant insights, leaving me with plenty to ponder.
- From wonderful to wasteland: Katter spoke about plans for putting one million hectares under glass, reflecting on the incredible advances in covered cropping we’ve seen in recent years. While I’ve believed increased yields and quality coupled with reduced inputs were a net positive of this farming innovation, he had me reconsidering whether this transformation is as wonderful as it seems. Progress comes at a cost – perhaps the natural wonder of traditional farming landscapes.
- Our culture is agri-culture: Katter shared, that after being criticised for not being cultured he made the quip – our culture is agriculture. And it’s true. The agricultural way of life is woven into the fabric of Australia’s identity, and it’s something we should celebrate and preserve. His words were a reminder of how deeply connected rural communities are to their land, their history, and their traditions.
- “An Incredible Race of People”: Katter mentioned the title of his book on Australian history with pride, and it got me thinking about the essence of his message. When he describes Australians as an “incredible race,” he’s pointing to the unique resilience, innovation, and spirit of people who have built their lives on the land and beyond. Yes incredible.
- Fear of popularity: In a surprising twist, Katter admitted, “I am scared of popularity.” This was unexpectedly humble from someone who seems to be provocative on purpose. Perhaps his mistrust of popularity is just reflective of that age old ‘tall poppy’ syndrome and the reality it’ll get us all in the end.
- Value of Indigenous memory: Katter also made a critical point about the value of the knowledge held in what he referred to as “Black fella memory.” He urged us to recognise the deep, often untapped wisdom that Indigenous Australians hold regarding the land and its management. In an era where sustainability and environmental responsibility are paramount, perhaps it’s time we take better stock of the treasures within Indigenous knowledge systems.
- “I’m not smart, but I’m linked to smart people”: Here Katter emphasised the importance of surrounding oneself with knowledgeable people, recognising that none of us need to have all the answers—so long as we are connected to those who do.
- The forgotten shearers: When talking about the decline of the wool industry following deregulation in the early 90’s, Katter reflected on the shearers, one of the most emblematic and hardworking groups in Australia’s history, as “the biggest losers” in this changing landscape of labour and industrial rights. It was a good reminder of how shifts in policy and industry have ripple effects we need to be aware of.
I wasn’t expecting such an “ag man” to also be so pro-mining. His obvious zeal for the role he sees coal playing in the Australian economy got me thinking – and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that of course not everything Katter stands for will sit comfortably with everyone. I had a few of my own shift in my seat moments as he ventured into dangerous territory. Worth more thought and one to explore another day.
If you’d like to join me or one of the team at an upcoming industry event – just let us know. We love to have a list of people to invite, at the ready.
Sue Hardman