In what just might be the most Australian news you’ve heard all day, Aussie politician Bob Katter is beefing with the Irwin clan over proposed crocodile culling laws in Queensland — and it’s getting sassy.
Back in February, Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) unsurprisingly put forward the Crocodile Control and Conservation Bill 2025. The bill was intended to respond to calls from North Queenslanders over worries about a rise in crocodile populations and attacks in the region.
The push for croc control from the KAP isn’t really a surprise, as it’s been a long-running political campaign in the region. If it is a surprise for you, let me remind you of one of Bob Katter’s most viral moments.
Anyway, if the bill is successful, the state government would establish a Cairns-based group called the Queensland Crocodile Authority. The bill would legalise the culling of crocodiles who are deemed to be of risk to humans, and authorise the safari-style hunting.
The hearing for this bill took place on Wednesday, where the eldest member of the Irwin family, Bob Irwin, voiced his concerns.
“Culling crocodiles is a pointless exercise, absolutely pointless,” he said, per Inside Queensland.
“You’re never going to be able to say to the general public you can swim in that river now, because you won’t ever know that there are crocodiles still there.”
World-renowned conservationist and Bob Irwin’s daughter-in-law, Terri Irwin, previously shared her concerns over the bill in a parliamentary submission.
“Research has consistently shown that when a crocodile dies or is removed, then another crocodile immediately comes in to take over that territory,” Terri wrote, noting that the rise in croc populations has been “very modest”.
Bob Katter was not happy with her claims and clapped back with a doozy of a statement.
“A lady, Mrs Irwin, said that I’m a dangerous person and it’s the only time I’ve ever agreed with her in my life,” the politician quipped.
“She knows all about crocodiles. I’m a bit fascinated about how you would know all about crocodiles if you live in Brisbane? Oh, that’s right, she’s got them all locked up in a cage in Brisbane, I’d forgotten about that.”
It’s worth noting that Australia Zoo and Terri’s home are actually on the Sunshine Coast, not Brisbane.
While Terri hasn’t responded, Bob Irwin wasn’t happy with Katter’s response.
“He’s a dickhead…yeah, put it on the record… and you can actually tell him who said it as well,” the Australia Zoo founder told the The Courier Mail after appearing in Queensland’s parliament.
“He’s not listening to the people that know, he has no idea of how the environment works, and that’s his problem.”
So, there you have it — an Aussie battle of the ages.
