Jonathan Pavetto, agricultural economist and member of the LGBT community, has been chosen by the Liberal Party to run for the Queensland seat of Kennedy in the upcoming federal election.
Pavetto told the Cairns Post that he expects it to be a tough fight to win Kennedy where Katter has enjoyed much popularity.
“The party membership certainly thinks I have what it takes to beat Bob Katter. That’s very humbling that they think that’s the case,” he said.
“But I’m certainly in it to win it. It’s going to be like running up Mount Everest, and I know that.”
The LNP’s previous candidate Noeline Ikin saw a close race with Katter in 2013, with an almost 10,000 vote lead over the incumbent MP. He kept his seat after preferences tipped Katter to 52.19% of the vote.
Ikin stepped down from the candidacy earlier this year after being diagnosed with cancer.
Katter, who is known for his opposition to LGBT rights, will not be the only member of his family running in the upcoming election. Karl Katter, Bob’s gay half-brother, is the ALP’s choice for the seat of Higgins where he will face incumbent Liberal front-bencher Kelly O’Dwyer as well as Greens candidate and out sportsperson Jason Ball.
OIP Staff
Sources
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