Inside Clive’s extravagant election party, complete with $250k piano, and Michelin star chef

Sitting at a grand piano worth close to a quarter of a million dollars, Clive Palmer was wearing bright yellow and barking orders to his Michelin star chef as the votes started rolling in, writes Peter Gleeson. But it was a Liberal-free zone this time around.

Sitting at a grand piano worth close to a quarter of a million dollars, Clive Palmer was wearing bright yellow and barking orders to his Michelin star chef.

“Dinner is 8pm now … we’re crossing to Sky just before then,’’ he said.

This was the United Australia Party’s official party at Palmer’s Sovereign Island residence, which sprawls over 6000 square metres and is worth $60m.

Now worth a staggering $18bn, mining magnate Palmer was relaxed but upbeat as he hosted about 40 UAP officials and close friends.

Clive Palmer poses for a post election day photo at his house prior to casting his vote. Picture Scott Powick.

They dined on Beef Tataki, kingfish, beef eye fillet, chicken roulade, Teriyaki salmon and salted caramel cheesecake, washed down with Moet.

There were no Liberals there, unlike in 2019 when on his superyacht he had a cabal of now former Liberal executives. Early indications suggested Palmer’s $100m spend on advertising and marketing may have worked in certain electorates, especially in Western Sydney and the outer suburbs of Brisbane and Melbourne.

Of course, Palmer is all about influence. He sees himself as a true patriot, a National Living Treasure who has a deep and abiding passion for Australia.

“We need to keep the major parties honest … they have let us down on so many policies,’’ he said.

The swing away from the major parties in some electorates will be a lesson for the Labor and Liberal parties, whatever the result.

The emergence of the Simon Holmes a Court – backed Climate 200 candidates – the so-called Teals – shows the Australian political system is changing – and quickly.

Palmer and Pauline Hanson are now a force, make no mistake. Even Jacquie Lambie stole many votes off the big parties in Tasmania.

The dominance of the Coalition and Labor is diminishing, as voters look to other alternatives to deliver on key policies around the economy and climate change.

For Palmer, it is about keeping them honest. He is also passionate about economic reform, hence the policies around keeping interest rates low and paying off the debt.