State Election 2020: Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party announced Bonney candidate David Bark

Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party has officially entered the election fight on the Gold Coast, naming their first candidates.

CLIVE Palmer’s United Australia Party has officially entered the election fight on the Gold Coast.

Hilton Surfers Paradise project manager David Bark will contest the seat of Bonney in October, running against sitting MP Sam O’Connor.

The party today also confirmed it had endorsed Heath Gallagher as its candidate for Coomera.

The announcements occur after poll analysts revealed marginal parties including the United Party and One Nation were “wasting their time”.

It’s unclear whether the United Party intends to stand candidates in other Gold Coast electorates.

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Mr Bark has also worked as the general manager of “various five-star hotels” and as a board member of chambers of commerce and tourism groups across Queensland and New South Wales.

United Australia Party’s Clive Palmer. Picture: Richard Gosling.

He said he was running for Bonney out of concern over local issues and the city’s future.

“Our local community deserves better, I have had enough of the spin (and) empty promises of the current Labor government,” he said.

“We are witnessing Queensland going backwards due to the lack of true leadership.

“Our kids and friends are leaving the state due to the lack or employment opportunities.

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“We need politicians to understand what the real issues are and deliver. We need politicians that can listen and have a clear vision for the future and stick to the course and not get distracted.”

The Greens last week named former local council election candidate Amin Javanmard as their candidate in the area.

But political expert Dr Paul Williams said marginal parties stand little chance against Labor and the LNP in October.

“In times of crisis you see marginal parties, fringe parties, their vote collapses,” he told the Bulletin.

Queensland State Member for Bonney Sam O'Connor. Picture: Jerad Williams

“Now we saw the Greens vote actually climb at the beginning of the pandemic but it seems to be coming down.

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“So expectedly the Greens are suffering from big picture politics where people go back to the major parties in times of crisis and the minor parties tend to be locked out of the discourse.”

LNP Bonney MP Sam O’Connor said he wasn’t concerned with the appearance of several contenders in the electorate.

“It’s unusual but that’s how it is, you get them putting their head up,” he said.

“It’s not a big concern for us, not something I’ve even thought about. And I don’t think (Clive Palmer) has got a lot of credibility.”

Asked about possible preference deals, he said: “I don’t do any deals with minor parties.”

The United Australia Party today endorsed Coast boilermaker Heath Gallagher as its candidate for Coomera. The seat is held by experienced LNP MP Michael Crandon.

In a statement, the party said Mr Gallagher, and his wife Tamara and young daughter lived at Pimpama on the northern Coast.

Coomera MP Michael Crandon talking to students at a northern Gold Coast school — he is facing a fierce campaign his electorate.

Mr Gallagher had served in the Royal Australian Navy as a marine technician and has worked around Australia as a boilermaker.

A holder of multiple trade qualifications, tickets and licences, he has also been employed in managerial roles in major oil, gas and mining projects.

“Since moving and settling on the Gold Coast and living in the Pimpama region, I feel I could be a great voice for the local demographic living in the Coomera electorate,’’ Mr Gallagher said.

“I am passionate about giving everyone a voice and seeing the needs and concerns addressed and sorted out as quickly as possible.

“I am not a career politician, just a normal Aussie looking to keep everyone honest and fighting to make the Coomera electorate great again.”