This article was originally published by QNews. You can find the original article here.
Billionaire Clive Palmer has launched a new conservative political party mimicking Donald Trump and in a wild press conference immediately took aim at transgender rights and drag queens.
On Wednesday, Clive Palmer launched his new political party “Trumpet of Patriots” in Canberra.
The party chairman confirmed he’s inspired by US President Donald Trump, and vowed to “Make Australia Great Again”.
He said the party will contest the upcoming federal election and provide “a real alternative” to the federal Coalition. Palmer vowed to adopt “many” of Donald Trump’s policies, which he thinks are popular in Australia.
The billionaire claimed Australia is “barely recognisable” and doesn’t have “a real democracy”.
Echoing Trump, Palmer accused immigrants of “destroying communities” and on the cost of living, he said he’s financially supported families who are “going without food”.
At the same time, Clive Palmer appeared to suggest trans inclusion in sport was a big issue for the federal government.
“Our policy is to recognise that there are two genders, a male and a female,” he said.
Palmer went on, “We don’t want men in women’s sports and we don’t want males dressed as females confusing our children in our schools.
“All children should be entitled to a normal, safe environment in our schools and public toilets.
“All children must be entitled to decide who they are and what their sexual orientation is when they’re adults. Not have it foisted on them before they’ve even commenced puberty.”
Palmer’s anti-trans spray mimics Donald Trump’s day one executive order on “two sexes”. That order has caused havoc after it banned the US government from recognising trans identities.
Clive Palmer only won one seat at the last federal election
After journalists at Clive Palmer’s press conference questioned some of his claims, things got tense, news.com.au reported.
Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party (UAP) spent over $120 million running in every seat at the last election in 2022.
Support for minor parties and independents surged, but UAP secured just one seat in the parliament.
That Victorian UAP senator, Ralph Babet, celebrated Donald Trump’s election win in November by hurling a series of offensive slurs on social media and sharing an Andrew Tate video.
The Albanese government hasn’t yet announced the date of the next federal election. The poll is due by mid-May.
