Palmer MP boasts of war chest to contest Queensland election

A QUEENSLAND MP in the Palmer United Party has boasted of having a “big campaign war chest’’.

Clive Palmer Leader of the Palmer United Party and Katter's Australian Party Leader and I

A QUEENSLAND MP in the Palmer United Party has boasted of having a “big campaign war chest’’ to back candidates in most of the state seats at the next election.

Newman government defector Alex Douglas said Clive Palmer’s political party was on a campaign footing — with letterbox drops already being sent-out — and a target of capturing at least 30 per cent of the statewide vote.

Dr Douglas, who quit the Liberal National Party last year, made the comments as Mr Palmer ruled out a merger with Katter’s Australia Party amid reports of a coalition-style alliance between the two political entities.

“We will never, ever merge with the Katter party,” Mr Palmer said.

“As we have said on four other occasions there is no merger with the Katter party.”

The two PUP MPs and Katter MPs have already been working together on issues in a loose alliance in parliament over the past year.

But Dr Douglas said while the party was working with the KAP, he denied there was any discussions to form a coalition or a merge.

“It is no secret that we have spoken to the KAP but the only offer on the table is for them to join our party,’’ he said.

“It’s a big party and people talk, but I think Bob Katter is being a little opportunistic in seeing the success of our party and then saying publicly in an attempt to force a merger or something.’’

Dr Douglas said PUP didn’t need the KAP or its resources.

“We have a big campaign fund, Clive is very good with the money, it is already well into the millions,’’ he said.

KAP national president Shane Paulger claimed that talks had been held with Mr Palmer but that “he was playing hard to get”.

Later, Mr Paulger said he was not involved in the talks and wasn’t sure if they had taken place.

In the statement, Mr Katter said he wanted a working relationship with PUP.

“At all times we are working more aggressively towards working relationships with other major parties,’’ he said.

“PUP and KAP members have worked well together in federal and state politics and we look forward to continuing this for the betterment of all Australians.”