15 May 2026

The Honourable Milton Dick MP
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

RE: Hon Robert Katter MP's Breach of s 42 of the Constitution

The Honourable Speaker and members of the House of Representatives:

We draw to your attention the refusal by the Member for Kennedy, the Honourable Robert Katter MP, to lawfully make and subscribe the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance as required by s 42 of the Australian Constitution.      

On 22 July 2025, when called to the Table of the House to take the Oath of Allegiance during the opening of the 48^th Parliament, Mr Katter declared: “No, I swear allegiance to the Australian people.” He repeated the declaration when called to make the Affirmation. His declaration, which solicited reactions from across the House, is recorded by Parliament’s video system. 

On 23 July 2025, Mr Katter publicly confirmed his refusal in a video published to his official Facebook page.

Section 42 of the Constitution requires that every member “shall before taking his seat make and subscribe” the oath. Standing Order 4(f) of the House requires the oath be made both orally and in writing in accordance with s 42. These requirements are plain.  

In the ten months since his refusal, Mr Katter has sat and voted in the House and is therefore in breach of the Constitution. The House has not taken action to remedy his refusal.

We hold, as the most fundamental of our political expectations, that not just all members of the House but all who derive a power from it should abide by and enforce the Constitution.

We, the undersigned, therefore petition that the House–

1. acknowledge that Mr Katter did not lawfully make and subscribe the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance as required by s 42 of the Constitution;
2. recognise that the House has the jurisdiction and the duty to require Mr Katter to lawfully take the oath;
3. require that Mr Katter lawfully take the oath; and
4. take all steps to prevent Mr Katter from sitting and voting in the House unless and until he lawfully takes the oath.

Yours faithfully: