Ex-One Nation senator joins Katter party

While Pauline Hanson's One Nation is bleeding seats in federal parliament, Bob Katter's political party has gained a new senator.

Senator Fraser Anning

Bob Katter's political party has recruited former One Nation senator Fraser Anning. (AAP)

Bob Katter's Australian Party could have a second senator in its ranks after the decision by Fraser Anning to join the maverick Queenslander's team.

Senator Anning, who exited One Nation in November after falling out with Pauline Hanson, confirmed on Tuesday he had joined KAP.

He said he planned to talk to another disgruntled One Nation senator Brian Burston about joining KAP.

"He has not been endorsed for his party and so he will be looking for a home," Senator Anning said of the NSW senator.

"He's a good conservative."

Senator Hanson has asked Senator Burston to hand his seat back to One Nation, after he disagreed with her decision to dump support for corporate tax cuts.

Senator Burston is seeking advice on whether Senator Hanson's letter demanding the seat back constituted a contempt of parliament.

Senator Anning said he had joined KAP because no party was representing "people on the Right".

Mr Katter and Senator Anning have been friends for 40 years.

"We're tribal, both our families were from Charters Towers before there was a Charters Towers," Mr Katter said, alongside Senator Anning in Cairns.

"We were instantly blood brothers."

Senator Anning said the party represents traditional Australian values and a commitment to infrastructure development, especially in regional areas.

Katter's Australia Party picked up three Queensland seats at last year's state election.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told reporters in central-western Queensland the government would continue to "plug away" with its agenda, regardless of who was on the Senate crossbench.

"We discuss everything with the crossbench and we look forward to talking to Senator Anning and of course all the other senators."


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Source: AAP


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Ex-One Nation senator joins Katter party | SBS News