17/10/2026
Here's a funny story....I was flying back from Canberra last week where I had been representing Bright Life Homes in finalising our expectations with a business relating to systems & Ai. I insisted on an 'in person' meeting, so I could get a feel of this tech company...old school style. While waiting for the plane to return, I looked over and saw Hon Bob Katter MP, 'affectionately' known by my Son as 'Bob'. He was chatting with a gentleman, so I didn't want to interrupt and ask for a selfie for my son 😂. I honestly thought id walk past him in first or business class, so Id just politely ask then. But when I got on the plane.....there was no Bob??? Where did he go I thought. You could not hide my surprise when I got to my seat and there was Bob sitting right next to me...in cattle class!!! To be honest, besides the clips id seen and news articles, I didn't know too much about Bob. We spent the trip from Canberra to Brisbane with Bob asking what I did & asking questions about our industry . I explained I was a general manager in family business in the construction industry in a regional town (Agnes Water) in Qld. Bob was very interested in my views of how the last several years had affected the construction industry. He was extremely engaged in the two of us trying to pin point together, where prices started to greatly increase for our fellow Australians and understand more then what he had already been informed or researched.....ie my personal take on why was land and materials, overall, a finished home costing Australians so much. We had a real debate on this. His passion for 'why' from both sides of the camp was what I can truthfully say, just what I needed. After what our business alone has endured in the past several years post Covid, local Council, State, Federal & building code decisions/changes....he was a breath of fresh air....actually someone in power somewhere genuinely showing care and interest about our industry to the point, he didnt have a paper and pen to take notes, so was taking notes on his hand and boarding pass. All I can comment on, is my own moment in time with Bob Katter, in a flight long enough for someone in his position to hear our concerns in the construction industry. Thank you for this moment ❤️
Those responsible for creating excessive red tape need to understand the devastating impact their decisions have on businesses and industries across this country, and ultimately, on all our families!
