Clive Palmer’s party a ‘real chance’ to gain sixth Senate spot in Victoria
Clive Palmer’s fluoro yellow billboards splashed across Australia are hard to miss. And now, the controversial mining magnate looms as a potential federal election kingmaker after his mega-million dollar advertising blitz.
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Controversial mining magnate Clive Palmer looms as a potential federal election kingmaker, with both major parties conceding his mega-million dollar advertising blitz could win a handful of senate seats, including in Victoria.
The billionaire Queenslander, who is bankrolling more than 150 candidates with his United Australia Party, announced today he would stand for the Senate in his home state.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PALMER’S PARTY
One advertising industry source said his “conservative” estimate that he had spent “at least” $5 million on outdoor advertising in Melbourne and millions more on TV and in newspapers nationally.
“You’ll see that we’ll be in the Senate. There’s no question about that,” Mr Palmer said. “I’m confident … we’ll have the balance of power in the Senate.”
His rise in polls — which one party strategist called the “f--- you vote” — could potentially be critical in many marginal Coalition-held seats, with both Liberal and Labor now considering preference deals.
A senior Liberal familiar with the party’s research said voters were starting to say they would vote for Mr Palmer’s party.
“He wasn’t coming up at all but in the last couple of weeks his name is emerging,” the Liberal said.
The latest Newspoll put support for the United Australia Party at 4 per cent but a Labor source said “it will be higher now”, with estimates as high as 8 per cent in Victoria.
Mr Palmer is understood to be paying many of his candidates and will also pay “volunteers” to staff polling booths in the lead-up to May 18.
CUNNING VEGAN PLAN TO STOP CLIVE PALMER
Sources said the United Australia Party was now seen as a “very real chance” to gain the sixth senate spot in Victoria because it was eating into the major party vote and, in particular, One Nation.
Wimmera farmer and small business owner Catriona Thoolen, based in St Arnaud, has top billing for the party on its Victorian senate ticket.
Mr Palmer said today his polling showed his party would win six Senate spots.
In 2013, Mr Palmer won the lower house seat of Fairfax in Queensland, and senate seats in Western Australia, Tasmania and Queensland.
The party fell apart with Jacqui Lambie and Melbourne Storm premiership hero Glenn Lazarus, deserting less than a year into their terms.
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