Tribute: Knott a man of ‘colour’

Keating’s outburst  – which put Knott, who died last week, on the national stage – came during the 1993 election campaign, when the South Coast politician walked the PM into his mate’s bakery at Bomaderry for a media op.

The TV cameras rolled as Labor’s anti-GST campaign was hijacked by the shopowner, who condemned the Keating’s pay roll tax system.

The incident was one of many which marked Knott’s short time as a politician, with his colleagues remembering gaffes and eccentric campaign tactics.

He held the seat of Gilmore from 1993 for three years, before he was roundly defeated by Joanna Gash in 1996.

Read more about Peter Knott at www.illawarramercury.com.au 

Knott again courted controversy at the 2001 elections, suggesting September 11 was a result of United States foreign policy.

He was gagged by the ALP after the comments, and Ms Gash once again romped home, winning the seat after a swing of 11 per cent away from Labor.

In his life outside parliament, Mr Knott was a librarian and teacher before entering parliament and spent several years on Kiama council. After politics, he remained passionate about his two sons, his friends and folk music.

He was regularly seen around town with his guitar, and successfully campaigned to revive busking in Kiama. 

He was also instrumental in helping others through charity, putting together a benefit concert for those affected by the Black Saturday Victorian bushfires.

Asked after the concert about his music, Knott said he hoped it would have as much influence as his political career.

“There is more than one way to skin a cat,” he told the Mercury.

“I am writing songs now and painting. With music, I can do the same things as I used to as a teacher or a politician.”

Knott is remembered by friends as a working class hero and a champion of the underdog. He was 59 years old.