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Clive Palmer: why he isn't missed by A-League fans Clive Palmer: why he isn't missed by A-League fans
(10 days later)
If we needed any further confirmation that the business class rules Australian politics, this was it. Is there anything Clive Palmer can't do? Probably, but when you're a millionaire, multi-tasking is made easy.If we needed any further confirmation that the business class rules Australian politics, this was it. Is there anything Clive Palmer can't do? Probably, but when you're a millionaire, multi-tasking is made easy.
Owning the title deeds to much of Australia's nickel and iron ore reserves, lately Clive Palmer has been busying himself with the important things in life. Like planning dinosaur theme parks and building a replica Titanic. And after last night's election results, it looks as if he'll become the member for Fairfax, a seat on Queensland's Sunshine Coast that extends from the mung-bean eaters in Maleny to the champagne sippers of Coolum Beach.Owning the title deeds to much of Australia's nickel and iron ore reserves, lately Clive Palmer has been busying himself with the important things in life. Like planning dinosaur theme parks and building a replica Titanic. And after last night's election results, it looks as if he'll become the member for Fairfax, a seat on Queensland's Sunshine Coast that extends from the mung-bean eaters in Maleny to the champagne sippers of Coolum Beach.
Far from getting carried away with his party receiving 6% of the vote nationwide, Palmer said he was "a bit surprised we didn't do better". Then again, he did promise us he'd be Australia's next prime minister. Results show that he was a tad optimistic, but even so, Clive's off to Canberra to take his seat in the House of Representatives.Far from getting carried away with his party receiving 6% of the vote nationwide, Palmer said he was "a bit surprised we didn't do better". Then again, he did promise us he'd be Australia's next prime minister. Results show that he was a tad optimistic, but even so, Clive's off to Canberra to take his seat in the House of Representatives.
Palmer is well-known to Australian football fans. In 2008, after rumours of a new 'Gold Coast Galaxy' A-League franchise, Palmer stumped up the cash for Gold Coast United, who entered the competition in 2009. Many in Australia look enviously over the Pacific to the football philanthropists in the United States, and thus Palmer, or at least his money, was welcomed into the Australian football family.Palmer is well-known to Australian football fans. In 2008, after rumours of a new 'Gold Coast Galaxy' A-League franchise, Palmer stumped up the cash for Gold Coast United, who entered the competition in 2009. Many in Australia look enviously over the Pacific to the football philanthropists in the United States, and thus Palmer, or at least his money, was welcomed into the Australian football family.
For Palmer, football was hardly a lifelong passion. His motives for getting into bed with the beautiful game were based, at least partly, on his business interests in China. He made this abundantly clear when he explained that "China's part of our community. We've got to get together, talk, exchange ideas, and certainly sport's a great medium to do that." Then he unsuccessfully tried to sign Chinese superstar Sun Jihai.For Palmer, football was hardly a lifelong passion. His motives for getting into bed with the beautiful game were based, at least partly, on his business interests in China. He made this abundantly clear when he explained that "China's part of our community. We've got to get together, talk, exchange ideas, and certainly sport's a great medium to do that." Then he unsuccessfully tried to sign Chinese superstar Sun Jihai.
Palmer's United Australia football team on the Gold Coast started with a bang. They recruited well, waltzed around their plush training facilities, travelled to away matches in a luxury private jet, and quickly replaced Sydney FC as the "glamour club" of the A-League. Not known for his humility, Palmer predicted that the team would go through their first season undefeated.Palmer's United Australia football team on the Gold Coast started with a bang. They recruited well, waltzed around their plush training facilities, travelled to away matches in a luxury private jet, and quickly replaced Sydney FC as the "glamour club" of the A-League. Not known for his humility, Palmer predicted that the team would go through their first season undefeated.
If Palmer was Australia's answer to Roman Abramovich, his coach, Miron Bleiberg, was our very own José Mourinho. "Whether Miron wins or Miron loses, Miron always drives a Mercedes," Bleiberg once explained. Palmer's team lost just once in their first six matches, finished third on the ladder before being knocked out in the finals series.If Palmer was Australia's answer to Roman Abramovich, his coach, Miron Bleiberg, was our very own José Mourinho. "Whether Miron wins or Miron loses, Miron always drives a Mercedes," Bleiberg once explained. Palmer's team lost just once in their first six matches, finished third on the ladder before being knocked out in the finals series.
It was tremendous fun, but barely anybody cared. The crowds were meagre at best, thanks in part to Palmer's public spat with the Queensland State Government over the cost of playing at Skilled Park. Palmer's policy was to simply close half the stadium, thereby limiting the costs of hiring stadium staff and public transport. Clive's no Keynesian when it comes to soccernomics, and his austerity measures sent crowds on a downward spiral.It was tremendous fun, but barely anybody cared. The crowds were meagre at best, thanks in part to Palmer's public spat with the Queensland State Government over the cost of playing at Skilled Park. Palmer's policy was to simply close half the stadium, thereby limiting the costs of hiring stadium staff and public transport. Clive's no Keynesian when it comes to soccernomics, and his austerity measures sent crowds on a downward spiral.
Things got weirder in 2012, as Clive Palmer took on Frank Lowy and Ben Buckley at the FFA. After several run-ins with the game's governing body, Gold Coast United decided to wear a "Freedom of Speech" banner across their jerseys. The timing was not lost on anybody, but Palmer got political, explaining it as a defence of refugees. And Syrians. And Australians who died in the past fighting for the nation's freedoms.Things got weirder in 2012, as Clive Palmer took on Frank Lowy and Ben Buckley at the FFA. After several run-ins with the game's governing body, Gold Coast United decided to wear a "Freedom of Speech" banner across their jerseys. The timing was not lost on anybody, but Palmer got political, explaining it as a defence of refugees. And Syrians. And Australians who died in the past fighting for the nation's freedoms.
It was the last straw for the FFA, who stripped Palmer of his licence, sending him on a rampage which culminated in short-lived talks of a rebel league and administration. And while Palmer has been known to shower his employees with gifts and first-class holidays, reports suggest he still hasn't paid compensation to Peter Perchtold, a German midfielder who was sacked after refusing to have his contract shortened by a year. Pinko.It was the last straw for the FFA, who stripped Palmer of his licence, sending him on a rampage which culminated in short-lived talks of a rebel league and administration. And while Palmer has been known to shower his employees with gifts and first-class holidays, reports suggest he still hasn't paid compensation to Peter Perchtold, a German midfielder who was sacked after refusing to have his contract shortened by a year. Pinko.
Some of his former players and staff have remained loyal to old Clive though. His centre-back and one time captain Kristian Rees ran unsuccessfully in the South Australian seat of Grey, while former goalkeeper Scott Higgins was on the Senate ticket in Queensland. Clive Mensink, Palmer's chief executive at Gold Coast United, was similarly endorsed for the Brisbane seat of Dickson.Some of his former players and staff have remained loyal to old Clive though. His centre-back and one time captain Kristian Rees ran unsuccessfully in the South Australian seat of Grey, while former goalkeeper Scott Higgins was on the Senate ticket in Queensland. Clive Mensink, Palmer's chief executive at Gold Coast United, was similarly endorsed for the Brisbane seat of Dickson.
Palmer's dalliance with football was full of swagger and braggadocio, but offered little in the way of substance. It was an ego trip of epic proportions, couched in public service to the people. Perhaps his political career will be the same. Australians wary of Palmer should remember this. When Gold Coast United exited the scene in 2012, the FFA set up a stunningly successful club in Western Sydney that has reversed the mistakes of the Clive Palmer experience.Palmer's dalliance with football was full of swagger and braggadocio, but offered little in the way of substance. It was an ego trip of epic proportions, couched in public service to the people. Perhaps his political career will be the same. Australians wary of Palmer should remember this. When Gold Coast United exited the scene in 2012, the FFA set up a stunningly successful club in Western Sydney that has reversed the mistakes of the Clive Palmer experience.
The light on the hill is gone, but at the very least, with Palmer gone from the A-League there might be a light at the end of the tunnel.The light on the hill is gone, but at the very least, with Palmer gone from the A-League there might be a light at the end of the tunnel.
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