Federal Election: Mavericks to take centre stage at Gold Coast debate
Break out the popcorn and get ready for one hell of a rollercoaster ride when the best debate of the federal election takes place.
Federal Election
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Forget ScoMo versus Albo.
Break out the popcorn and get ready for one hell of a rollercoaster ride when the best debate of the federal election takes place on the Gold Coast on Tuesday night.
Sky News host Paul Murray and yours truly will try the political equivalent of herding cats when the so-called maverick’s debate is held.
The combatants include United Australia tsar Clive Palmer, One Nation guru Pauline Hanson, the Stetson-wearing Bob Katter and former Queensland premier and Liberal-Democrat Senate contender, Campbell Newman.
You’d go a long way, anywhere in the world, to find four politicians with the conviction, and quirkiness, of those four people.
This is an important debate, for many reasons. The Sky news audience, especially in the bush, is huge.
People in regional and rural Australia have abandoned the ABC because of its pro-Labor and Greens rubbish, and they’ve come across to Sky.
As such, Palmer, Hanson, Katter and Newman will be competing for the minds and souls of many of these people during this debate.
They are popular in the bush, many sharing Hanson and Palmer’s pro-choice mantra on mandatory vaccination.
Both Hanson and Palmer remain unvaccinated, and it is only that premier Annastacia Palaszczuk lifted the vaccination mandate at pubs and clubs that the event could go ahead on the Gold Coast.
Palmer and Hanson will be vying for the same voter demographic. They are seen as rebels with a cause by their base.
Palmer is spending a fortune on this election campaign, with the slogan “freedom, freedom, freedom’’ his catchcry to appease those who are fed up with lockdowns and border closures and governments running people’s lives.
At his campaign launch on the Sunshine Coast today, Palmer will also talk of his plans to keep mortgage rates below 3 per cent and a massive resources tax that will pay down our $1 trillion debt over the next 20 years.
Palmer cannot be underestimated. He faces a tough job to win House of Representative seats but he may secure a Senate spot and the UAP’s preferences will be crucial in a number of contentious lower house seats.
Hanson is a great political survivor, with a fearless outlook for calling a spade a shovel. She remains hugely popular, especially in Queensland, and is mobbed like a rock star wherever she goes.
She will be fired up for this debate. She loves the combative nature of these things.
Bob Katter, 76, is an extraordinary politician, having held the seat of Kennedy, in the state’s west, since 1993. Before that he was a Minister in the Bjelke-Petersen government.
Katter has forgotten more about politics than most of his MP colleagues, and while he is known for his colourful language, this debate format will suit him down to the ground.
Then there’s Newman, who was Queensland premier from 2012-2015 before losing to Annastacia Palaszczuk, in a poll many thought he could not lose.
He is now going around with the Liberal-Democrats after becoming disenchanted with the Liberal Party under Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Newman will thrive at this debate. He remains articulate and focused but he certainly doesn’t have the party machinery, or budget, of Palmer and Hanson.
The debate will unquestionably have a resounding theme around governments interfering in our lives.
For many, our experience with the Covid-19 pandemic has solidified a belief that government has gone too far, imposing draconian laws that have hurt people badly.
Many people have lost their livelihoods and their mental health has been challenged during the pandemic.
As such, there’s a growing sense that many voters are going to shy away from the major political parties and park their choice elsewhere.
That’s why this debate is important. The winner will likely become a political kingmaker. The debate airs at 8pm this Tuesday on Sky News. Make sure you wear your crash helmet.
PETER GLEESON IS A HERALD SUN COLUMNIST
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