Walking the streets of Bob Katter’s political heartland, it’s hard to imagine the veteran MP losing the north Queensland Seat of Kennedy that he’s held since 1993.
“You’ve got my vote Bob,” a construction worker yells out as Mr Katter crosses a street in the inland mining city of Mount Isa.
It’s safe to say the Katter brand is well-known around these parts.
Mr Katter kicked off his campaign last month at a pub in Atherton, inland from Cairns, where Queensland Senate hopeful country musician James Blundell belted out hits surrounded by supporters feasting on a BBQ.
On Friday he finished up his campaign – minus Mr Blundell who has returned home to Stanthorpe, near Brisbane – in similar style in Mount Isa.
Punters sipping beer patted the Akubra-wearing MP on the back or shook his hand and wished him luck.
However, one local man did complain that he no longer wanted Mr Katter sitting at his table because he was sick of hearing him talk.
Despite his outward confidence, Mr Katter says he’s feeling the nerves.
“I’ve only once been confident of winning… I go home with fear and trepidation leading up to the election,” he told AAP.
Local newspaper the North West Star says Liberal National Party Kennedy candidate Noeline Ikin has campaigned across the electorate “leaving a new brand of conservative followers in her wake hungry for change”.
Friday’s front page reads: “You decide: Is Bob’s reign over?” This election is a brave new world for Mr Katter, who is for the first time running as the leader of his own political party – Katter’s Australian Party.
But he’s going to fall well short of his party’s hopes of winning four Queensland seats and two Senate spots.
Political analysts say Mr Katter will keep his lower house seat, and star candidate Mr Blundell may pick up a Senate seat in Queensland but that’ll be about it.
Asked whether he was more nervous this year compared to others, Mr Katter said: “I’ve probably had it worse”.
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