Australian billionaire Palmer launches Trump inspired political party

SYDNEY – Australian billionaire Clive Palmer launched on Feb 19 a political party he said was directly inspired by US President Donald Trump, months out from a nationwide federal election.

Mining magnate Palmer said his Trumpet of Patriots party would “drain the swamp” in the country’s capital Canberra, a reference to Mr Trump’s plans to drastically cut the size of government.

“We think Donald Trump’s been very effective in reducing public expenditure,” Mr Palmer told a news conference announcing the launch.

Mr Palmer was critical of mass immigration and said the party would recognise only two genders, reflecting positions also favoured by Mr 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, Mr Palmer said.

Mr Palmer, Australia’s 18th richest person with a net worth of US$2.1 billion (S$2.8 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.

He spent around A$100 million (S$85.4 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 2025’s election that must be held by May.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has 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 Feb 18, a boost for the government that has seen its popularity fall due to cost of living pressures. REUTERS

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