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Australian Billionaire Plans New Political Party Australian Billionaire Plans New Political Party
(about 7 hours later)
SYDNEY, Australia — An Australian billionaire who is perhaps best known for his efforts to build a seaworthy replica of the Titanic says he will use his vast fortune to form a new political party to compete in federal elections scheduled for September.SYDNEY, Australia — An Australian billionaire who is perhaps best known for his efforts to build a seaworthy replica of the Titanic says he will use his vast fortune to form a new political party to compete in federal elections scheduled for September.
Clive Palmer had been a major financial supporter of the conservative Liberal-National Party, from which he resigned last year amid quarrels surrounding his political aspirations. He says the newly minted United Australia Party, which he unveiled at a press conference on Friday, will be a serious challenger rather than a vanity project. The man, Clive Palmer, had been a major financial supporter of the conservative Liberal-National Party, from which he resigned last year amid quarrels surrounding his political aspirations. He says the newly minted United Australia Party, which he unveiled at a news conference on Friday, will be a serious challenger rather than a vanity project.
“I’m running to be the prime minister of Australia,” he told reporters. “I am standing because I think I can offer better service to the community than anyone else.”“I’m running to be the prime minister of Australia,” he told reporters. “I am standing because I think I can offer better service to the community than anyone else.”
Mr. Palmer is a major player in Australia’s resource-driven economy. He owns considerable mining and other natural resource assets, including a nickel refinery that he purchased from the mining giant BHP Billiton and large coal and iron ore deposits in the states of Queensland and Western Australia. Mr. Palmer is a major player in Australia’s resource-driven economy. He owns considerable mining and other natural resource assets, including a nickel refinery that he bought from the mining giant BHP Billiton and large coal and iron ore deposits in the states of Queensland and Western Australia.
He made international headlines earlier this year when he unveiled his plans for Titanic II, a $200 million replica of the doomed ocean liner that will be equipped with high-tech engines and modern amenities like air-conditioning. Mr. Palmer says that the ship, which will be built by the China’s state-owned CSC Jinling Shipyard, could set sail on its maiden voyage as early as 2016. He made international headlines earlier this year when he unveiled his plans for Titanic II, a $200 million replica of the doomed ocean liner that will be equipped with high-tech engines and modern amenities like air-conditioning. Mr. Palmer says that the ship, which will be built by China’s state-owned CSC Jinling Shipyard, could set sail on its maiden voyage as early as 2016.
Julia Gillard, Australia’s first female prime minister, has seen her poll ratings plummet since she announced in January that federal elections would be held in September. The unusually early announcement kicked off an election season that has been bruising and marked by political infighting in Ms. Gillard’s Labor Party, and it remains to be seen what impact Mr. Palmer’s announcement will have on the race.Julia Gillard, Australia’s first female prime minister, has seen her poll ratings plummet since she announced in January that federal elections would be held in September. The unusually early announcement kicked off an election season that has been bruising and marked by political infighting in Ms. Gillard’s Labor Party, and it remains to be seen what impact Mr. Palmer’s announcement will have on the race.
Tony Abbott, leader of the opposition Liberal-National coalition, is widely expected to capture the premiership, but Mr. Palmer’s deep pockets and conservative stances on issues such as climate change and taxes could steal crucial votes from Mr. Abbott, especially in Mr. Palmer’s home state of Queensland. Tony Abbott, leader of the opposition Liberal-National coalition, is widely expected to capture the premiership, but Mr. Palmer’s deep pockets and conservative stances on issues like climate change and taxes could steal crucial votes from Mr. Abbott, especially in Mr. Palmer’s home state of Queensland.
Julie Bishop, deputy leader of the Liberal Party, urged conservatives not to jeopardize the coalition’s chances by splintering the vote.Julie Bishop, deputy leader of the Liberal Party, urged conservatives not to jeopardize the coalition’s chances by splintering the vote.
“If you want to get rid of the Labor government, if you want to get rid of the waste and incompetence and inability to stop the boats, then you have to vote for the coalition,” she said in an interview with Sky News, referring to the rickety boats used by asylum seekers on the perilous crossing from Indonesia to the Australian territory of Christmas Island.“If you want to get rid of the Labor government, if you want to get rid of the waste and incompetence and inability to stop the boats, then you have to vote for the coalition,” she said in an interview with Sky News, referring to the rickety boats used by asylum seekers on the perilous crossing from Indonesia to the Australian territory of Christmas Island.
“It’s got to be a vote for the Liberal Party and the National Party. That’s how you get rid of this government.”“It’s got to be a vote for the Liberal Party and the National Party. That’s how you get rid of this government.”
The Labor Party, however, seemed to welcome the announcement, which has the potential to at least partially reverse their flagging fortunes. The Labor Party, however, seemed to welcome the announcement, which has the potential to at least partially reverse its flagging fortunes.
“I think pretty clearly anyone who votes for a Clive Palmer-led party wasn’t a former Labor supporter, they’ll be a former LNP supporter,” Anthony Albanese, the infrastructure and transport minister, told The Australian newspaper. “I think pretty clearly anyone who votes for a Clive Palmer-led party wasn’t a former Labor supporter, they’ll be a former LNP supporter,” Anthony Albanese, the infrastructure and transportation minister, told The Australian newspaper.
“That’s his niche market. If the far-right want to fight with the not-so-far-right in Queensland, then good luck to them,” he said.“That’s his niche market. If the far-right want to fight with the not-so-far-right in Queensland, then good luck to them,” he said.