Former politician Clive Palmer has announced his return to politics.
Earlier on Monday, the 64-year-old took to his Facebook page to warn his followers that big news was coming. It comes less than a month after a series of “Make Australia Great” billboards began popping up all across the country.
“Stay tuned for some breaking news from the United Australia Party,” he wrote. “Join Today and help Make Australia Great.”
Palmer met with media in a bizarre press conference on Monday morning, also announcing that former One Nation senator Brian Burston had joined his revamped political party. What was once known as the Palmer United Party (PUP) will now be known as the United Australia Party (UAP).
“United Australia Party was established at a time when the nation needed stability early last century and was the party of choice by Australian Prime Ministers Joseph Lyons and Sir Robert Menzies,” he said. “All Australians are tired of our current crop of politicians. It is time to unite the country for stronger economic growth that can restore prosperity to all our citizens.”
The original UAP was formed in 1931 and dissolved in 1945, just weeks before the end of World War II.
Palmer also said UAP plans to run candidates in every lower house seat at the next Federal election and will also contest seats in the Senate.
“Courage is one of the rarest commodities in politics, it is very hard to find it, especially in this place,” Palmer told media. “I am very happy to say that Brian has shown a great amount of courage and a great amount of foresight to stand up for the people who elected him, to aim for their aspirations.”
Burston will be the sole member of the reformed party and played down speculation from journalists about Palmer’s run-ins with the law and past financial troubles.
“That issue is before the courts and I’m not in the position to comment,” he said.
He also addressed questions as to why he left One Nation, and blamed his bitter spat with Pauline Hanson over his decision to support the government’s $35.6 billion corporate tax proposal.
“I resigned because Pauline Hanson insisted that I renege on that deal, and I would not do so. I am happy to join the United Australia Party,” he said. “We will unite Australia and we will bring integrity back into the Senate and provide policies and vote on policies that the Government might bring forward that will benefit all of Australian.”
Palmer also lashed out at the media during the heated conference and claimed 20,000 people had contacted his office since he made an announcement about his political return on Sunday.
Read more: One Nation in turmoil as senator Brian Burston quits
Palmer’s personal assets have been frozen in an effort to recover millions of dollars from the 2016 collapse of his mining company, Queensland Nickel. During the media conference, he also claimed he had $3 billion worth of assets. Queensland Nickel owed creditors $300 million at the time of its collapse.
The conference came to an abrupt end when the sprinklers turned on.
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Earlier, former prime minister Tony Abbott appeared on 2GB radio where he slammed both Palmer and Burston for their decision to unite under the new party.
“When he first bought his way into parliament back in 2013 I thought this is a very dangerous development, the Berlusconi-isation of Australian politics,” he told host Ray Hadley. “Rich people effectively buying votes by way of paid media exposure.“ I just think people are sick of it. We now know what he’s like.”
Abbott also said Palmer had “driven every business that he’s ever run into the ground” and also took aim at Burston.
“If you fall out with your party and you’re not prepared to resign, sit in parliament as an independent. Don’t tart yourself around, which is what this guy seems to be doing.”