Billionaire Clive Palmer has unveiled his new political group, Trumpet of Patriots, sparking fresh debate over big-money influence in Australian elections. During a fiery press conference, he faced tough questions from journalists about his party’s chances of winning enough seats to install a Trump-inspired Prime Minister.
Palmer’s United Australia Party (UAP) spent more than $120 million in the 2022 federal election but secured only one seat. With new donation and spending caps coming after 2025, this election marks his last chance to invest millions in political campaigns.
Palmer Clashes with Journalists Over Election Claims
Palmer’s press conference turned tense when Channel 9’s Andrew Probyn suggested that his strategy was “plainly potty.” In response, Palmer dismissed the criticism and accused Australian journalists of lacking proper analytical skills.
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He claimed that President Trump’s policies had support from more than 30 per cent of Australians and that his party would attract a similar following, directly challenging the Coalition. According to Palmer, the Trumpet of Patriots would secure enough seats in the House of Representatives, following the pattern seen in the United States.
“This is why we are here to do it,” he said, arguing that what happened in the US could happen in Australia as well.
Trumpet of Patriots: Palmer’s Last Big Election Push
Palmer launched Trumpet of Patriots with Suellen Wrightson as its leader and Glenn O’Rourke as the official registrant. Wrightson, a Hunter electorate candidate, has been positioned as the face of the party.
Palmer admitted that, after failing to re-register UAP in time for the election, his only option was to take over an already registered party. He insisted that he had not paid O’Rourke for control of the party.
He confirmed that he had approached Pauline Hanson for a potential alliance but said discussions did not lead to any agreement.
Palmer’s Election Strategy and Policy Focus
Palmer’s entry into the 2025 election is expected to influence conservative and independent voters, potentially benefiting Peter Dutton’s Liberal Party.
Palmer argued that the cost of living crisis was forcing millions of Australian households to go without food. He criticised the Labor government’s spending policies, blaming them for the rising financial strain on families.
He revealed that he had donated millions to Foodbank and urged other billionaires to contribute, accusing many of “doing nothing all day but sitting on their arses.” He said he believed the government should step in if wealthy Australians refused to help.
Criticism of Immigration and Government Policies
Palmer strongly criticised Australia’s immigration policies, claiming that successive governments had used migrant wealth to cover up economic failures for more than 20 years. He argued that politicians had done little to improve the nation’s economy, despite boasting about growth.
He also claimed that many MPs cared more about keeping their jobs than actually fixing problems, saying that he had personally observed how government and opposition politicians socialised together and were well-adapted to each other.
“This is why Australia hasn’t had real democracy,” Palmer said, adding that no one had held government departments accountable the way Elon Musk was doing in Washington. He believed that this had led to wasted public money.
Palmer’s Stance on Gender and Schools
Palmer took a firm position on gender identity, stating that his party recognised only two genders. He opposed trans women competing in female sports and spoke out against gender discussions in schools.
He insisted that men should not be allowed to participate in women’s sports or dress as females in schools, as it created confusion for children. He argued that all children should grow up in a “normal, safe environment” and be allowed to make decisions about their sexual orientation only when they became adults.
Calls for Kevin Rudd’s Removal as US Ambassador
Palmer also demanded that Kevin Rudd be removed from his role as Australia’s ambassador to the US, criticising him for insulting Donald Trump.
He argued that Australia needed a more effective representative in Washington, especially during a time of economic struggles and declining living standards. He said Rudd was one of the few ambassadors who had publicly criticised the US President, which he considered unacceptable.
Palmer’s Influence on the Election
With his Trumpet of Patriots party, Palmer is making a final attempt to reshape Australian politics, focusing on economic struggles, immigration, and gender issues.
His financial backing could significantly influence the 2025 federal election, especially in key seats where conservative votes might split. However, given his track record of high spending with limited electoral success, it remains to be seen whether this new movement will gain real traction or meet the same fate as his previous political efforts.
