Trumpet of Patriots candidate previously jailed for fraud, declared bankrupt

A former Tassie businessman contesting the conservative seat of Wide Bay in the federal election for the Trumpet of Patriots party, has responded to explosive revelations of his criminal past.

Gabrial Pennicott, a businessman running for the Wide Bay federal seat for Clive Palmer’s Trumpets of Patriots, is a convicted fraudster and former bankrupt.

A former Tasmanian-now Gold Coast businessman contesting a Queensland federal seat for Clive Palmer’s Trumpets of Patriots is a convicted fraudster and former bankrupt who had to be extradited back to Australia to face his crimes.

But he now says he has turned his life around.

Wide Bay federal election candidate Gabrial Neil Pennicott was convicted in a Victorian Court in 2011 of 23 fraud related charges, including dishonest use of a position as a director, gaining and attempting to gain a financial advantage by deception, and obtaining property belonging to another by deception.

The charges related to transferring shares between companies he controlled at artificially inflated prices.

The book value of these transactions was put by ASIC at $2.465 million.

In 2009, Mr Pennicott was permanently banned by ASIC from the financial securities industry.

Wide Bay federal election candidate Gabrial Neil Pennicott was convicted in a Victorian Court in 2011 of 23 fraud related charges.

He was extradited from Canada, where he had fled in 2005, after a vigilante group of about 20 investors tired of waiting on Australia’s authorities to act, hired a private investigator to track him down.

Mr Pennicott was convicted on all counts following a 10-week trial by jury.

A Victorian County Court sentenced him to four years and seven months’ jail with a non-parole period of three years and three months.

The court declared he had already served 130 days.

Responding to questions about the case on Wednesday, Mr Pennicott said he had served his time and paid his debt to society.

“I rebuilt my life from the ground up — starting again with $200 in my pocket, a broken name, and a deep desire to change,” he said.

“My convictions are now spent and my police record is clear, which provides me with the opportunity to run for this seat.”

He was not concerned about voters being aware of his history.

“I am not hiding from it,” Mr Pennicott said.

“Because where I’ve been makes me a stronger, wiser, and more compassionate leader today.

“Australians believe in second chances.”

Responding to questions about the case Wednesday Gabrial Pennicott (pictured here in 2003) said he had served his time and paid his debt to society.

“If someone has served their time and turned their life around, should they not be allowed to participate fully in society, including public service?
“Voters have a right to know who they are electing and I therefore welcome questions they may have about my ability and commitment to serve.

“If you believe in second chances, then hear me out — not just as a candidate, but as a man who has lived, fallen, and risen again.”

A 2011-2012 Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions annual report said the presiding judge on the case criticised Mr Pennicott at sentencing for betraying the trust of hardworking and decent people.

It said the judge told the court Mr Pennicott had “generally created a picture of a person obsessed with self-importance, success and wealth”, and rejected claims it was a mistake or due to stress or substance abuse.

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Gabrial Pennicott was also declared bankrupt in 2011 according to Australian Financial Security Authority records. He was discharged in 2015 — meaning it is no longer a barrier to his candidacy.

Mr Pennicott was also declared bankrupt in 2011, according to Australian Financial Security Authority records. He was discharged in 2015 — meaning it is no longer a barrier to his candidacy.

Mr Pennicott is now the CEO of YDMA Group.

The organisation’s Facebook page promotes itself as “a boutique business success provider specialising in growth strategies and solutions”.

Australian laws bar people from sitting in the House of Representatives only if they have been convicted and are under sentence, or subject to be sentenced for an offence punishable with a jail term of one year or longer.

Previous offences with time served do not bar a candidate from being elected.

The Trumpet of Patriots party, founded in 2021, was thrust into the spotlight in February 2025 when controversial high profile businessman Clive Palmer joined as a member after the High Court ruled he could not register his Palmer United Party for the 2025 election.

Mr Palmer had voluntarily deregistered his party in 2022.

The Trumpet of Patriots party is led by Suellen Wrightson, a former UAP party member.
A party spokesman said it was aware of Mr Pennicott’s past.

“He was completely transparent with it,” the spokesman said.

“He has completed his sentence and has a clear police check.

“We believe that he deserves a second chance.”

What you said

Mr Pennicott’s plea for voters to give him a second chance received a mixed response from readers, with one identifying as Gary K summing the issue up in short order.

“A quick look at the comments shows that Mr Pennicott is wrong; Australians do not believe in second chances, nor redemption or forgiveness apparently,” Gary K said. “Presumably that is until it suits them to do so.”

Reader Robert was among the more than 30 to respond to the article on Mr Pennicott’s candidacy and history and questioned why some more basic professions seem to have tighter rules than government work did.

“You can’t get a licence for a taxi with convictions of this nature but apparently you are a fit and proper person to be in parliament,” Robert said.

King Matt believed “everyone deserves a second chance after they have served their punishment” but some jobs should be off limits.
“A politician is one of those,” he said.

Readers offered a mixed response to Gabrial Pennicott’s plea for voters to give him a second chance, while a number took their chance to point a finger at the man who put the Trumpet of Patriots party in the headlines in 2025, Clive Palmer, and his election history. NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Other readers took their chance to point their finger at the man who put Trumpet of the Patriots in the headlines this election: Clive Palmer.

Reader Bruce said “walk away Palmer and don’t come back”, while reader Manuel said “Palmer will blow hundreds of millions on this campaign and yield no results or maybe one candidate elected like last time so this poor guy will have to continue in whatever he’s doing now”.

“Can’t Palmer do something useful with his money like build low-cost rental accommodation?” Manuel said.

Reader Tala shared a similar view.

“The most useful thing Palmer could do at the moment is get off the TV and radio with your ridiculous adverts and take that horrible voiced Tucker Carlson with you,” Tala said.

“I mute the TV every time he comes on..... we don’t need them.”

Another reader with the name Pieeater asked if it mattered at the end of the day given Mr Palmer’s history with elections.

“I mean no one aside from close relatives ever votes for Clive and his band of misfits,” Pieeater said.

“This blatant coat tail riding on (Donald) Trump has been a bit of bad decision in hindsight lol.”

Originally published as Trumpet of Patriots candidate previously jailed for fraud, declared bankrupt