Katter’s Australian Party is standing by a television advertisement attacking the alternative Queensland premier’s views on gay marriage.
The ad asks how well voters know Liberal National Party (LNP) leader Campbell Newman, and features him repeating the words: “I support gay marriage”.
It also features images of two shirtless men, and Mr Newman handling a skirt.
Mr Newman personally supports gay marriage, but has shelved his beliefs as he leads a party that voted against Queensland’s same-sex civil unions legisalation.
Federal MP Bob Katter says he has not received any hate mail or abusive calls over the ad.
But among those condemning it as homophobic are his gay half brother Carl, who Tweeted: “they are using the politics of fear hate to win vote (sic)”.
The party’s state leader Aidan McLindon says he has received abusive messages over the ad but plans to continue running it this week to highlight Mr Newman’s confused position.
“I can’t think of almost any issue that Campbell Newman has had a solid position on,” he told ABC Radio.
Mr Katter was oblivious to the controversy on Monday morning.
“I haven’t (received any abuse),” Mr Katter told AAP.
“I got abusive phone calls when I took my position.
“They (the KAP members) should not get abusive phone calls, but I don’t think that’s the case.
“I’m not exactly clued up on it either.”
Premier Anna Bligh told ABC Radio she found the ad “bizarre”.
“This ad I think is way, way beyond what we expect in a political campaign,” she said.
The LNP will consider repealing the civil unions laws if it wins government on March 24.
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