Australian billionaire Clive Palmer unveiled a new political party on Wednesday, stating it was directly inspired by United States President Donald Trump, just months ahead of Australia’s national federal election.
‘Drain The Swamp’
Mining magnate Palmer said his political party, Trumpet of Patriots, would “drain the swamp” in Australia’s capital Canberra, a reference to Trump’s plans to drastically cut the size of government.
“We think Donald Trump’s been very effective in reducing public expenditure,” Palmer told a news conference announcing the launch.
Palmer was critical of mass immigration and said the party would only recognise two genders, reflecting positions also favoured by Trump.
Trumpet of Patriots plans to stand candidates in all 150 seats in Australia’s lower house, as well as the upper chamber, known as the Senate, Palmer said.
Palmer’s Political Career
Palmer, Australia’s 18th richest person with a net worth of $2.1 billion according to Forbes, previously led the right-wing United Australia Party (UAP), sitting as a lawmaker in the lower house for three years from 2013.
Palmer spent around A$100 million ($63.52 million) on campaigning for the UAP in the last federal election, yielding a single Senator in the upper house.
He failed to register UAP in time for this year’s election, which must be held by May.
Election Date Still Uncertain
Prime Minster Anthony Albanese is yet to announce the date of the poll, which could be as early as March after the country’s central bank cut interest rates on Tuesday, a boost for the government that has seen its popularity fall due to cost of living pressures.
Albanese’s Approval Hits Lowest
A majority of voters in Australia want the Labor government out, threatening Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s re-election as his approval rating hits a record low, a widely watched poll has revealed.
A Newspoll conducted for The Australian newspaper said a hung parliament would be the most likely outcome if the poll numbers were to be replicated at an election due by May.
($1 = 1.5743 Australian dollars)
(With inputs from Reuters)
