Clive’s candidates: An Elvis impersonator, Origin legend and Deputy PM’s father-in-law
Clive Palmer’s Queensland candidates for the upcoming election include an Elvis impersonator, the Deputy Prime Minister’s father-in-law and a former Origin player who bombed out at the past three polls. SEE WHO’S RUNNING
QLD Politics
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Clive Palmer’s Queensland candidates for the upcoming election include an Elvis impersonator, the Deputy Prime Minister’s father-in-law and a former Origin player who bombed out at the past three polls.
United Australia Party released its full list of candidates for the lower house on Tuesday, nearly a month after the mining magnate revealed he would be vying for a Senate spot.
The newly announced candidates include entertainer Dean Vegas, a perennial Gold Coast mayoral candidate and Elvis impersonator that Mr Palmer has previously hired to perform at this Coolum Resort.
Mr Vegas first sought to run for Gold Coast mayor in 2008, but failed to register his candidacy, before a failed bid in 2012.
The Elvis impersonator also played at the “Fairfax Festival” organised by Mr Palmer at his Coolum Resort while he was a Federal MP.
Peter Campion, the father of Vikki Campion, is set to run against Bob Katter in Kennedy.
Former footy player Greg Dowling will have another go in the Townsville-based seat of Herbert where he received under 6 per cent of the vote in 2019 despite an expensive and extensive Palmer-funded campaign.
Mr Palmer’s company Mineralogy also bankrolled Mr Dowling’s attempt at the Townsville City Council mayoralty in 2020, a run that included the single largest campaign donation in Queensland’s electoral history.
Mr Dowling, when he ran for the state seat of Townsville a few months later, managed to secure 1.83 per cent of the vote — ultimately polling lower than the Animal Justice Party.
He is the only Queensland UAP candidate coming back for a 2022 run after 2019.
Mr Palmer, when he announced his senate bid in January, flagged no expense would be spared at the upcoming election, signalling the UAP’s spend could eclipse the $83m dished out in 2019.
“In February, we will commence the largest and most extensive political campaign in the nation’s history,” he said.
“And I don’t think we have any problems raising money, or having money or having the necessary financial resources.”
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