Media Release

THE iconic Akubra favoured by the Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter fetched almost $3000 at an auction held in support of the protection of the sanctity of marriage.

Mr Katter joined more than 1000 people at the National Marriage Day Rally at the Great Hall of Parliament House this morning to offer his longstanding and unwavering support for marriage between a man and a woman.

Following a passionate speech by the Member for Kennedy, one of his famed Akubra Arenas, autographed by Mr Katter and auctioneer Senator Barnaby Joyce, went under the hammer for $2700.

Mr Katter said while he considered that the debate about same sex marriage had a funny side, he added: "We can’t get the heteros to marry these days and now you are telling us you are going to get the other mob to marry – not likely.

"Religious sanctions have always had survival value – First Australians had totems and Hindus protected the female ox.

"In western societies, with the collapse of the "pair bond", marriage populations in western countries are collapsing.

"By 2020 in Australia, when 20 people die they will only be replaced by 17 people. Our population in 100 years time will therefore be down to only 7 million – and they will be very, very old."

Mr Katter’s support for the rally follows the presentation of a petition to him in Mount Isa at the weekend in which 32,000 people registered their opposition to same sex marriage.