Clive Palmer texts infuriating Aussies ahead of Queensland election
Controversial businessman Clive Palmer has angered Australians, accused of “spamming” hundreds with text messages regarding the Queensland election.
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Former politician and controversial businessman Clive Palmer has angered Australians today, accused of “spamming” hundreds with text messages regarding this Saturday’s Queensland election.
People from all over the country – not just those in the Sunshine State – have inundated Twitter to express their fury, with many questioning whether they should report the text, which reads, “Stop Labors 20% Death Tax Open our borders Now”, and then includes a link to a “How to Vote Card”.
While the Australian Electoral Commission states that the electoral roll (containing names and addresses) may be “supplied to prescribed authorities, members of parliament, political parties, approved medical researchers, public health programs and electoral researchers” the AEC “does not provide your email address or phone number to these recipients”.
The text message does not come from Mr Palmer’s United Australia Party (UAP) – which is running candidates in 50 electorates – but instead, his mining company Mineralogy.
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Just got this from Mineralogy Clive Palmer’s company! (Not on my contact list, by the way). Is this against any corporate or electoral rules? pic.twitter.com/JSv1KPjicB
— John Dickson (@JohnDic12110775) October 26, 2020
“How did Clive Palmer get my number which was shared with his ‘private’ company?” one Twitter user wrote, adding, “Surely that is a breach of privacy laws?”
“Interesting that Mineralogy is texting me a how to vote for Clive Palmer’s UAP party. I don’t recall giving Mineralogy my contact details,” commented another.
“I just got a text from Clive Palmer’s company about how to vote in the Pine Rivers electorate in Queensland. I do not live in Queensland or have even been there,” a third person tweeted.
The Electoral Commission Queensland (ECQ) has been flooded with complaints online, with one asking why it won’t “stop this dirty trick from Palmer”.
In a response repeated to multiple Twitter users, the ECQ apologised, writing it did not “provide phone numbers or email addresses”.
It’s not the first time Mr Palmer has employed the tactic: The Queensland billionaire sent a slew of texts spruiking the UAP and warning Australians that their “freedom is under threat” in January and February last year.
The UAP has been approached for comment.
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According to opinion polls, the UAP is unlikely to come close to winning any seats on October 31 – which hasn’t stopped them from running a series of advertisements criticising the ALP and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, today’s text being the latest.
On October 16, Ms Palaszczuk said the ALP “definitely” had no plans to introduce a 20 per cent death tax if they win the election, after the UAP posted a video featuring Mr Palmer’s wife Anna, claiming the party would introduce the rule.
“This is absolutely ridiculous for Clive Palmer to even be suggesting this. It is definitely not true and I find it offensive, absolutely offensive that he would be doing this in the midst of an election campaign,” the Premier told reporters.
“What Clive Palmer is doing at the moment is irresponsible, it is wrong and it is dishonest.”
In a statement, Queensland Labor secretary Julie-Ann Campbell told the ABC Mr Palmer’s claims “are nothing more than barefaced, outrageous lies”.
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Do not believe the @LNPQLD lies. There is no death tax. @DebFrecklington should admit it. #qldpol pic.twitter.com/1Gv9jjCFhW
— Steven Miles (@StevenJMiles) October 26, 2020
To be clear - I do not support this party and have never, ever signed up for anything closely related to @CliveFPalmer or @UnitedAusParty - this looks dodgy as sin and definitely breaks spam/campaigning laws in the country. @friendlyjordies #auspol #clivepalmer #AuspolSoCorrupt
— Ben Roachie (@benroachie) October 26, 2020
Ms Campbell said she had written to both Facebook and Twitter “to demand that they immediately remove any and all false claims made by Clive Palmer and his party regarding a death tax being considered by Labor”.
“There is no death tax in Queensland. There are no plans for one from Labor. Anyone who says that there are is lying,” she said, adding that the move was designed to “trick Queenslanders and help elect (LNP leader) Deb Frecklington”.
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington has said she has no political relationship with Mr Palmer or his party.
Originally published as Clive Palmer texts infuriating Aussies ahead of Queensland election