Trains to Coolangatta, trams to theme parks among big-spending promises at PUP Coast launch

The PUP rolled out a swag of big-spending election promises at a colourful campaign launch yesterday, which Mr Palmer himself failed to attend.

Palmer United Candidate Jim MacAnally at the launch of the Palmer United Party Gold Coast Queensland election candidates at Avica on the Gold Coast. Pics Adam Head

THE Palmer United Party will extend the heavy rail to Coolangatta and take the light rail via the theme parks to Coomera Town Centre if elected.

The pledges were two big-spending election promises at the party’s Gold Coast launch yesterday, which was missing both PUP founder Clive ­Palmer and state leader John Bjelke-Petersen.

Spokesman Jim MacAnally also said the party would stop the Boral quarry proposed for Reedy Creek and “immediately” review the Newman Government’s anti-bikie laws.

In explaining Mr Palmer’s absence, Mr MacAnally said the mining magnate had decided to step out of the spotlight during the campaign to allow Mr Bjelke-Petersen to have a go.

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However Mr Bjelke-Petersen did not turn up either, deciding instead to campaign in Brisbane.

Palmer United Party candidates at the party’s Gold Coast launch yesterday. Picture: Adam Head.

When quizzed about the funding for the projects, Mr MacAnally, a candidate for Burleigh, said a PUP government “would have to budget” or look at other alternatives.

“I believe the light rail extension would be very profitable,” he said after the event staged at Mr Palmer’s Avica resort at Merrimac.

“Can you imagine how many people would catch it to the theme parks,” he asked.

“Perhaps a public-private partnership would be the way to do it.

“That $500 million the (LNP) Government is spending on the (heavy) rail for Adarni (in North Queensland) could be used to help fund the Gold Coast light rail.”

Mr MacAnally said PUP, which commentators believe might secure just 5 per cent of the vote, would look to review the anti-bikie Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment laws if elected.

Clive Palmer missed PUP’s Gold Coast election launch, with a spokesman saying he wanted to step out of the spotlight and allow state leader John Bjelke-Petersen to take the lead.

The party is yet to reveal where it stands on the cruise ship terminal project proposed for Wavebreak Island and Mr MacAnally said that policy would be released on Thursday.

The PUP is running a candidate in all 10 Gold Coast seats and all, except Nicole Stanton, who is running in Southport, turned up for yesterday’s event.