Australian tycoon Clive Palmer launches United Australia Party
Flamboyant mining magnate unveils party as 'viable alternative' in September election
Australian tycoon Clive Palmer, who is building a replica of the ill-fated Titanic, yesterday unveiled his new political party and said he would run in the country's September 14 elections.
The flamboyant mining magnate was a long-time supporter of the opposition Liberal-National coalition but gave up his membership last year after a bitter dispute with the government in his home state of Queensland.
Palmer now plans to re-form the United Australia Party, which dissolved in 1945, and contest all 150 lower house seats in the national polls, and seats in the upper-house Senate.
"The reason I'm standing is to be the next prime minister of Australia," said the larger-than-life Palmer, who runs Waratah Coal and Resourcehouse Limited and calls himself one of the country's richest men.
I'm not seeking any enrichment of wealth for myself, I'm seeking it for the Australian people. I could go off and stay in Monaco, have a nice drink and forget about this country, but we've got more commitment to Australia and its children than anyone else
"I have no personal interest. I have made enough money in my life, I'm not seeking any enrichment of wealth for myself, I'm seeking it for the Australian people. I could go off and stay in Monaco, have a nice drink and forget about this country, but we've got more commitment to Australia and its children than anyone else."
He joins a growing list of high-profile candidates including Australian-born WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who intends to run for the Senate.