Queensland MP Bob Katter is calling on voters in favor of a Royal Commission to deliver a “blunt” warning to their local Coalition MPs and pressure them to join Nationals MP George Christensen, who earlier this month promised to cross the floor and vote in favor of a bill.
“There is no use being nice to politicians, they don’t understand that,” Katter told SBS News.
“Just tell them either you do it or we will work against you at the next election."
The Turnbull government opposes a Royal Commission into the banks, while Labor and the Greens both support a public inquiry.
Other members of the lower house, including Rebekha Sharkie of the Nick Xenophon team and independents Andrew Wilkie and Cathy McGowan, have all previously expressed support for a public inquiry.
SBS News understands if Mr Christensen crossed the floor, this would bring the numbers in the House of Representatives to 75 for the bill and 74 against, assuming everyone was present for the vote.
Last year the heads of ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, Wespac and NAB were hauled before a parliamentary hearing to answer questions over a series of recent scandals, including the CommInsure life insurance scandal.
Polling done in October by independent think tank The Australia Institute found 68 per cent of respondents supported a Royal Commission.
This morning Queensland MP Warren Entsch said he supported a tribunal to support victims of the banking sector, but ruled out supporting a Royal Commission.
“It's quite evident that we all know what the problems are and it's about trying to find solutions,” Entsch told the ABC.
