May 12, 2015
The Palmer United Party has announced it will no longer contest State elections.
A statement on Twitter on Tuesday from federal leader Clive Palmer said:
“We have announced today that we will no longer contest State elections but focus on the Federal level. We will contest all 150 Federal seats.
“We believe Federal Parliament is where PUP can make the most valuable contribution. That is what we will be focussing on.
“PalmerUtdParty’s significant achievements to date & ongoing activities show we make major positive difference to lives of Aussies.
“PalmerUtdParty will field strong candidates from wide section of community & all walks of life to achieve positive outcomes for Oz.”
Two South Burnett residents stood for PUP at this year’s Queensland State election: John Bjelke-Petersen in Callide and Jason Ford in Nanango.
Mr Bjelke-Petersen also stood for PUP in Maranoa at the last Federal poll.
The damage has already been done with the election of a Labor government in Queensland thanks to PUP preferences, so this is too little, too late.
PUP had no preferences.
The last LNP government was little more then a totalitarian regime resembling some European governments of last century. This area has never voted any other way then LNP or National but for a brief stint with One Nation then turned independent. Loyalty is a fine thing but to say that this area has advanced under LNP incumbency over the years is another.
Jack you were caught out not knowing that the Lutheran church did not run the private hospital, why would we believe you on this statement?
Trevor Perrett was actually elected as a CEC member when he stood for Barambah in 1988, but admittedly did join the National Party a year or so later and held the the seat to 1998. Dolly Pratt (One Nation and then Independent) held Barambah / Nanango from 1998 to 2012, not really a brief stint.
Jason, not sure you understand how preferencing works by the sounds of it. Even though you may not have specified a preference on your how-to-votes, your illustrious leader federally advocated putting Newman last which meant people needed to exercise a preferential vote. As the count shows PUP preferences went to Labor in a number of key seats which, even though the LNP won on primary count were lost on preferences from your party going to Labor.
Let’s also not forget the circus that was Ferny Grove.
TC, I think you may be confused. PUP didn’t have How-To-Vote cards at the Queensland State election. PUP had flyers, with no instructions on how to vote. It simply contained the quote, ‘Vote 1 Palmer United’. Constituents had a democratic right to add other numbers at their own discretion, with no influence from PUP. As it turns out, the ALP won a minority government fair-and-square. All other parties (including PUP) have taken ownership of their loss, except the LNP, who haven’t stopped complaining since they were democratically removed from government. Campbell Newman and the LNP are wholly responsible for their inability to retain power, so no need to blame PUP or anyone else.
Unfortunately Top Cat the woeful undertakings that occurred under the LNP Government may explain their shock demise. Perhaps you could shed some light on the many and varied reasons as to why the LNP got it so wrong? Was it accusations of collusion with the gas and coal industry, the contemptuous attitude to working Queenslanders or an inability to address rural Queensland’s desperate plight. But then again being caught out why should you be so concerned by any further comments from little old me. Boo.