Bob Katter -appeared to be holding on to the northern seat of Kennedy last night, fighting off a challenge from young LNP candidate Jonathan Pavetto.
Mr Katter's slim 2.2 per cent margin in the sprawling outback seat had made his bid for a ninth term a tough battle. But in early counting the 71-year-old was hopeful he would survive to become the "father of the house".Mr Katter, a veteran of state and federal parliament, spent much of yesterday at one of Kennedy's largest polling booths - the Police Citizens Youth Club at Edmonton, near Cairns.