Bob Katter outlines his demands to 7NEWS ahead of the federal election

If you have an even slight interest in politics or have turned the TV on in the past 50 years, you’ve probably heard of the ‘Mad Katter’ from North Queensland.

Down South he’s painted as a conservative cowboy: A rogue, prone to a wild tangent with a quick temper and tough exterior.

A description I now know he would relish.

This Federal election, Bob Katter’s vote is more important than ever before.

“I venture to suggest that the vote for the crossbenchers will get higher this election,” he told 7NEWS.

Both the major parties could have difficulty forming a majority government and will need to call on the support of crossbenchers like Katter to form a minority.

So, who will he back?

Peter Dutton has revealed he thinks he can count on Katter and while Katter is happy to outline fondness for both leaders, he danced around the question of who would get his support if asked.

The bottom line is his vote is still up for grabs, and it’ll come down to the leader who can deliver more for North Queensland.

I spent a few days with the Katter family in Charters Towers, so Bob took the opportunity to outline his demands.

The first - a one kilometre tunnel so North Queensland residents can get out of Cairns if roads are cut during flooding.

In February two people died and thousands were trapped – unable to access food - during major flooding in Queensland.

“In North Queensland it’s a matter of life and death that tunnel,” he said.

“I think that Peter (Dutton) would agree to those things that I want to happen… Anthony (Albanese) hasn’t been able to deliver and that’s something you’d take into consideration but anyone who thinks I’m coming down on one side or another you’ve got that badly wrong.”

His second wish is for North Queensland to be named its own state, a dream his son Robbie Katter is also behind.

“We’ve got this archaic system where it’s a one size fits all policy set from 2000 kilometres away in Brisbane and people have no affinity with this sort of country at all,” Robbie said.

At 80 years old Bob Katter is one of the nation’s longest serving politicians, having worked for more than half a century in both Queensland and Federal politics.

His family has built a political brand over three generations, starting with Bob’s father. But don’t make the mistake of calling it a ‘political dynasty’. He’ll writhe in pain.

In Charters Towers some say his background in mining and cattle makes him more relatable.

“I don’t think there’s enough people that get out and put their feet on the ground where it actually happens,” said local grazier John Brownson.

But the LNP and Labor are still hoping to knock Katter from the top job.

This election, the LNP’s Annette Swaine and Family First candidate Douglas Lush will take on Katter for the seat of Kennedy. Labor is expected to announce its pick any day now.

In Canberra, debate over how to manage China is raging after the Chinese military conducted live fire drills off the East Coast.

It’s been inconvenient for Labor’s election campaign, as the prime minister is slammed - accused of misleading the public over China’s live fire drills, the Defence Force Chief contradicting Anthony Albanese.

The prime minister appears determined to maintain a hard-fought diplomatic relationship with China.

But Katter has his own plan.

“Every single little boy and maybe every single girl would have access to a combat rifle… kept in the school armoury,” he said.

I then enquired: “So just to be clear it’s a guerrilla army of Australian school kids?”

“The guerrillas will win every time,” he responded.

“I can’t say that I hate using brutality because that would be a lie, I’m from generations of rugby league you know and it doesn’t generate fair love to your neighbour.

“I am going to save North Queensland,” he concluded without a hint of irony.

And with that we wrapped up the interview and ventured out on horseback to one of the last pubs in Queensland where you can still ride up to the bar and have a beer.