Katter is also a determined economic protectionist who wants increased subsidies for primary industry - particularly banana and sugar cane farmers who dominate in his seat of Kennedy,in rural far north Queensland.

Two of his most consistent views have been the banning of banana imports to protect the local industry and increased subsidies for the uptake of ethanol - a product of sugar cane - which would push up domestic sugar prices.

His increased importance will also have Coles and Woolworths concerned,given his trenchant criticism of their duopoly in the agricultural sector.

Katter has also adopted the mantra of his two Nationals-turned-independent colleagues,Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott,in calling for increased funding for health,education and broadband services in the bush.

In a sign either of the public interest in him or of the frustratingly poor broadband speeds in Australia,his personal website was down for several hours yesterday afternoon.

Despite that glitch,he managed to issue a clear statement to Labor and the Coalition about his role in a hung parliament.

"All of our industries are collapsing. They can't possibly survive under the neglect,and in some cases malicious neglect,of the parties.

''Populations have vanished and,in some cases,industries have vanished. We are not saying it's payback time,but it may well be pay-up time."

His somewhat reactionary honesty was in full view when he appeared on theTodayshow in 2008 to defend sexist comments by the mayor of Mount Isa.

Insisting the media had beaten up the story,he said:''We are very scared of you people,because a lady who spoke her mind … you took her out and put her in a steel cage like an animal for two years of her life. Now,I disagree with a lot of what that person said,[but] that person's name is Pauline Hanson.''