Economy
I’ll save Tasmania, says Clive
BILLIONAIRE mining magnate Clive Palmer has promised to put Tasmania back on the map.
He vowed yesterday to re-launch the United Australia Party and run candidates in Tasmania’s five House of Representatives seats and the Senate in the federal election.
The United Australia Party was founded in 1931 with help from former Tasmanian Premier and Australian Prime Minister Joseph Lyons.
Mr Palmer said Tasmania had been forgotten by much of Australia.
Mr Palmer, whose mother was born in Tasmania’s North-West and father was a radio DJ in the region, also has the next state election well and truly in his sights.
“People of Tasmania have been forgotten and they feel unimportant,” Mr Palmer told the Mercury yesterday.
“Tasmania has some fantastic roles to play.
“Tasmania is a leader in many fields.
“You go to Japan and there is Tasmanian seaweed on the sushi menu.
“In New York they have Tasmanian oysters.”
Despite drawing a range of criticism from all sides of the political spectrum yesterday, the billionaire, who has vowed to build a replica of the Titanic to be on the water in 2016, was unfazed yesterday.
“I have a sacred duty to protect the Australian people,” he said, after …