Palmer’s council push
CONTROVERSIAL billionaire Clive Palmer has likened his plans to run candidates in the next local council election in Townsville to a “revolution”.
Mr Palmer announced his United Australia Party would contest the next Townsville City Council election, due to be held in 2020, in a brief statement yesterday.
“Townsville is an example of how poor local government has destroyed an economy,” he said.
“The region has so much potential but needs guidance from its local government. It is time to draw a line in the sand and fight back, which is what the United Australia Party vows to do.”
Mr Palmer said the current Townsville City Council and the Queensland Government had “no idea” how to create or save jobs.
“The region is suffering from the loss of Tiger Airlines’ Melbourne to Townsville service, accounting for some 23,000 visitors on top of losing weekly international flights to Bali,’’ he said.
“This is a negative endorsement from business resulting from damaging comments made about Townsville by the mayor and her administration.”
Mr Palmer said he believed the council had created a negative environment resulting in an “unprecedented” lack of confidence from the business community.
“In the coming months and years, the United Australian Party will put in place a powerhouse team to rejuvenate Townsville,” he said. “A revolution is coming.” A spokesman for Mayor Jenny Hill said Mr Palmer and his party were free to contest any elections they liked.
“But they will be judged by the Townsville community on their actions,” he said.
“The Mayor’s team of councillors is focused on delivering for Townsville and we’ve just handed down the biggest ever infrastructure spend in council’s history, with more than $ 430 million invested in projects across the community.”
The spokesman said the council was “committed” to delivering Townsville’s new water pipeline by the end of next year and securing longterm jobs for the community.
The political announcement from Mr Palmer comes just weeks after he announced his intention to run in the federal seat of Herbert.
Mr Palmer recently purchased a property in North Ward near the Strand and told media he planned to live in Townsville.