Clive Palmer tries an old party trick: United Australia

Clive Palmer has again announced plans for a United Australia Party to bring the nation together.

Clive Palmer: ‘It is time to unite the country.’

Businessman Clive Palmer has reverted to his old political playbook, once again announcing plans for a United Australia Party to bring the nation together, as corporate regulators continue to scrutinise his ­financial affairs.

Mr Palmer used social media yesterday to declare his re-establishment of the UAP — originally the party of prime minister Joe Lyons, formed after a depression-era split in the Labor Party — as “a significant milestone in the history of Australian politics”.

“All Australians are tired of our current crop of politicians,” Mr Palmer tweeted. “It is time to unite the country for stronger economic growth that can restore prosperity to all our citizens.”

Mr Palmer tried to re-establish the UAP six years ago, after falling out with the Liberal National Party. A trademark dispute meant he had to rename it Palmer United Party, securing himself a seat in the House of Representatives and two senators, but the party fell apart and was deregistered in 2017. Mr Palmer is to return to court in August on a criminal charge relating to his Sunshine Coast resort. Liquidators continue to pore over the 2016 collapse of his Queensland Nickel.