Bob Katter painted in flattering light as portrait unveiled after 50 colourful years in politics | Bob Katter

“Kennedy’s a weird bunch of voters,” said senior lawmaker Bob Katter, smiling, standing next to the shrouded frame of a nearly life-size portrait he hasn’t yet seen.

The strangeness he mentioned in his northern Queensland home had to do with its characters and history, but could also extend to Kennedy’s preference for the Katters; Thursday’s portrait honored Bob’s 50 years in politics after Kennedy elected his father, Bob Sr., to 10 terms between 1966 and 1990, including 12 consecutive federal terms since 1993.

This oddity also goes to the seemingly insurmountable nature of Katter’s popularity in the north, in parliament and in the media; his apparent Teflon nature that has seen him slide through fierce controversy like few before him.

Threatening to punch a journalist; speaking at anti-immigration rallies through a megaphone claimed by a neo-Nazi group (which Katter later criticized and distanced himself from); opposes marriage equality and his infamous claims in 1989 that no homosexuals lived in his constituency; his decision”identify as Blakfulla in odd situations”; 2016 campaign ad showing him shooting Liberal and Labor members.

None of this featured in the official speeches at the unveiling of Katter’s portrait in the center of the Houses of Parliament; It was not mentioned by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick, the artist David Darcy or even the prime minister.

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The closest person to accepting past scrutiny was Katter himself; he would tell a long story about how someone had “twisted my nose a little bit” during a fight, briefly touching on how he sometimes “became a little confrontational, like a few weeks ago.”

The portrait, by artist Darcy, which Katter said he had not yet seen but was approved by the MP’s wife Susie, showed Katter in a three-piece navy blue suit with a waist tie and a red and white polka dot tie, holding his typical Akubra hat in front of a rusty corrugated iron backdrop.

Darcy told Guardian Australia that the iron “represents the Australian outback” and Katter himself.

“When it rusts, we know it takes time to do that. That’s what iron is about, Bob’s longevity with his constituents in that part of Australia,” he said.

Albanese, who developed a personal bond with Katter over many years (the Kennedy veteran said the Grayndler representative in the inner west visited him more than 20 times) spoke glowingly of Katter’s ability to “bring together people from all over the political spectrum who didn’t always agree with Bob’s views at any time.”

As if to make the point, politicians across the aisle could be seen smiling in the crowd: Michael McCormack, Tanya Plibersek, Barnaby Joyce, Tim Ayres, Labor and Liberal and staffers. Katter’s face wrinkled with laughter as Albanese recounted a list of anecdotes that paint Katter in a softer, more interesting light, from his dressing up in inflatable pig and Angel of Death costumes, his aviator sunglasses, his advocacy for Northern Australia, including his push for new dams, highways and energy projects, and his service to Kennedy voters.

“I’ve always admired his wisdom, too. He’ll come up with four or five ideas, some of which will be completely unreserved, but there’ll be a gem among them,” Albanese said fondly.

Albanese told those in attendance that having the portrait on permanent display in the building would ensure there would remain “a corner of this Houses of Parliament that will forever be Bob Katter”.

But the man himself says he has no intention of giving in just yet: When asked if he had a few more choices left, Katter enthusiastically replied: “yes!”

“I’m amazed at myself. I’m still working 80 hours a week, much to the dismay of my staff; they have to work 60 or 70 hours a week.”

Katter thanked Albanese for his praise and acknowledged that they had “talked about it in the past.”

“But whatever your flaws, I consider you a good friend,” Katter continued, making the audience laugh.

“I just need the money to complete the highway.”