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Clive Palmer lays claim to titanic victory and seat in parliament Clive Palmer lays claim to titanic victory and seat in parliament
(12 days later)
Mining magnate. Multimillionaire builder of the Titanic II. Dinosaur fan. Litigation lover. And now Clive Palmer looks set to add a new title to his CV: member of the Australian parliament.Mining magnate. Multimillionaire builder of the Titanic II. Dinosaur fan. Litigation lover. And now Clive Palmer looks set to add a new title to his CV: member of the Australian parliament.
Palmer has claimed victory in the Queensland seat of Fairfax in the election and though the result is yet to be officially declared, with 67% of the vote counted, he has received 28.02% of the primary vote.Palmer has claimed victory in the Queensland seat of Fairfax in the election and though the result is yet to be officially declared, with 67% of the vote counted, he has received 28.02% of the primary vote.
The Liberal National party candidate has gained about 38% of the vote but, after preferences are distributed from the six other candidates, Palmer may win the seat.The Liberal National party candidate has gained about 38% of the vote but, after preferences are distributed from the six other candidates, Palmer may win the seat.
Palmer claimed victory on Channel 7 saying his party would also take the neighbouring seat of Fisher, held by Liberal National party member turned independent Peter Slipper, the former house Speaker.Palmer claimed victory on Channel 7 saying his party would also take the neighbouring seat of Fisher, held by Liberal National party member turned independent Peter Slipper, the former house Speaker.
With 67% of the vote counted, Fisher is set to go to the Liberals, with former Howard government minister Mal Brough on 58% of the vote.With 67% of the vote counted, Fisher is set to go to the Liberals, with former Howard government minister Mal Brough on 58% of the vote.
"We think we'll win the seat of Fairfax without any problems," he said. "We also think we'll win the seat of Fisher if you understand the way preferences flow.""We think we'll win the seat of Fairfax without any problems," he said. "We also think we'll win the seat of Fisher if you understand the way preferences flow."
His top Senate candidate in Tasmania, former Broncos player Glenn Lazarus, looks like he will win a seat in the upper house.His top Senate candidate in Tasmania, former Broncos player Glenn Lazarus, looks like he will win a seat in the upper house.
Palmer’s campaign had been treated as something of a joke – generating headlines about his intention to build the Titanic II and plans for a dinosaur park at his Sunshine Coast resort, which he renamed the Palmer Coolum resort. A video of him twerking on a radio show went viral.Palmer’s campaign had been treated as something of a joke – generating headlines about his intention to build the Titanic II and plans for a dinosaur park at his Sunshine Coast resort, which he renamed the Palmer Coolum resort. A video of him twerking on a radio show went viral.
He currently has a life-sized Tyrannosaurus rex on the grounds of the resort and has named it Jeff – a move widely interpreted as a dig at Queensland’s deputy premier, Jeff Seeney.He currently has a life-sized Tyrannosaurus rex on the grounds of the resort and has named it Jeff – a move widely interpreted as a dig at Queensland’s deputy premier, Jeff Seeney.
But Palmer’s eccentric brand of campaigning seems to have resonated with the people who were unhappy with the leaders of the major parties and were looking for somewhere to lodge a protest vote.But Palmer’s eccentric brand of campaigning seems to have resonated with the people who were unhappy with the leaders of the major parties and were looking for somewhere to lodge a protest vote.
He crisscrossed the country on his private jet – bought for about $40m a few years ago – sometimes changing his mind mid-air about where he was going.He crisscrossed the country on his private jet – bought for about $40m a few years ago – sometimes changing his mind mid-air about where he was going.
In his press releases Palmer always uses the title “Professor”, a reference to his appointment as an adjunct professor at Deakin University.In his press releases Palmer always uses the title “Professor”, a reference to his appointment as an adjunct professor at Deakin University.
Hedley Thomas, a Walkley-winning journalist at the Australian newspaper – owned by Rupert Murdoch – wrote a series of articles on Palmer’s business interests as well as his estimated fortune, resulting in Palmer starting legal action and threatening to sue Murdoch personally.Hedley Thomas, a Walkley-winning journalist at the Australian newspaper – owned by Rupert Murdoch – wrote a series of articles on Palmer’s business interests as well as his estimated fortune, resulting in Palmer starting legal action and threatening to sue Murdoch personally.
Palmer maintained throughout the campaign he would win a slew of seats, even though polls had him picking up none.Palmer maintained throughout the campaign he would win a slew of seats, even though polls had him picking up none.
He campaigned on repealing the carbon tax and retrospectively refunding everyone who had paid it, refused to give his position on same-sex marriage, saying he did not want to influence party members, and made about $150bn worth of promises, saying he would pay for it through the stimulation to the economy of cutting taxes.He campaigned on repealing the carbon tax and retrospectively refunding everyone who had paid it, refused to give his position on same-sex marriage, saying he did not want to influence party members, and made about $150bn worth of promises, saying he would pay for it through the stimulation to the economy of cutting taxes.
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