I write in regards to the letter to you entitled ‘Katter’s new party’ that was published in the August 18 issue of the Southern Free Times paper.
One wonders what are the true intentions that Bob Katter and his circle of mates have in launching their new political party. Mr Katter, like Pauline Hanson, is a former member and parliamentarian of the Coalition parties. Both Hanson and Katter push a certain line of conservatism. Unlike Hanson, Katter has no position on race and immigration. Both people are populist and have no thought out ideology behind them.
Jay Nauss in her letter last fortnight asked the question, “why again, a new party?” The answer is simple. The Conservatives seek to utilise and control frustrations felt by many in the community. They do not want any serious threat to them to develop. So, they create a front to act as a satellite to attract disgruntled people. Such new parties direct their preferences to the Coalition, keeping the Coalition firmly in their place. One nation in the late 1990s did such a thing. Hanson’s One Nation directed preferences to the Coalition, helping to keep Howard in power. The Coalition adopted most of Hanson’s policies and then eventually turned on her, One Nation and denounced One Nation supporters as racist, redneck bigots. The same will happen to Bob Katter’s Australia Party.
Bob Katter will not be a serious threat to the Coalition. The Abbott conservatives are just using Katter to distract disgruntled Australians from real genuine nationalist conservative forces like the patriotic nationalist Australia First Party. Liberal Party satellites will not save this country nor save the Australian people.
Peter Watson,
Warwick
