Katter sees 'no votes' in NBN

Appearing on the ABC's Q&A program last night, independent MP Bob Katter offered high praise for the Rudd Government's decision to roll-out broadband infrastructure, claiming that it had embarked on the project, knowing that the venture would win "no votes".

Independent MP Bob Katter on the Q&A last night.(Credit: Katter screenshot from ABC's Q&A program, "Will we have a new government?".)

"[Broadband and power infrastructure roll-outs] are a good thing for this country, a great thing for this country, and they undertook both those things knowing there were no votes in it for them," he said.

"I'm paying them a very fine compliment. They deserve that compliment."

"For the first time in 20 years, I saw a government [take action on] the broadband roll-out [and] the national energy grid roll-out...There's no votes in either of those things," he added.

Katter's somewhat controversial appearance on the Q&A program last night marked the eve of the announcement over who the three independent MPs will support in a minority government.

Following over two weeks of negotiations with the two major parties, the MPs are expected to announce their decision on whether to side with Labor or the Coalition to form a minority government this afternoon.

Federal MP Andrew Wilkie sided with Labor last week after placing the completion of the National Broadband Network roll-out in Tasmania on his wishlist.

Katter's praise for broadband infrastructure comes after two weeks of ignoring the issue by the North Queensland MP. Katter's "key policy points" document issued last week made no mention of the National Broadband Network.