‘Wildly out of context’: Clive Palmer shoots down claims he would preference The Greens

Clive Palmer has rubbished claims he would preference The Greens in the upcoming election, stating his comments have been taken “out of context”.

Palmer made the comments during his National Press Club address on Thursday, April 7, when he responded to a question from a journalist with a “tongue-in-cheek” reply, noting that The Greens were not directly responsible for the nation’s debt.

“I made a tongue in cheek remark because I was responding to an ABC journalist that, like the ABC, I may preference the Greens before the others. The fact of the matter is the party executive has unanimously agreed that The Greens will be last,” Mr Palmer said.

“The comment has been taken wildly out of context and twisted by some media outlets. It is nothing more than fake news.

“The notion that United Australia Party would preference The Greens is as ludicrous as them giving preferences to us.

“All United Australia Party members, supporters or undecided voters can rest assured that the United Australia Party will not be preferencing The Greens.”

Watch @CliveFPalmer at the National Press Club as he releases our economic policies for our future. https://t.co/bttZ0slL22#auspol

— United Australia (@UnitedAusParty) April 8, 2022

Palmer has previously affirmed that neither the Liberals, Labor, Nationals, or The Greens would appear on the party’s Senate preference ticket.

“The Liberals, Labor and Greens will all be at the bottom of our ticket,” he told the Today show on Monday, April 11.

Australians are set to head to the polls in a matter of weeks following Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s announcement that the federal election will be held on May 21.

Morrison made the announcement on Sunday, March 10 to reporters at Parliament House following weeks of speculation as to when the election would go ahead.

During his first official speech to voters, Morrison said the “election is incredibly important” while noting that he understood the Australian public had grown “tired of politics”.

“This election is about you, no one else. It’s about our country and it’s about its future. Above all this election is a choice,” he said.

“It’s a choice between a strong future and an uncertain one. It’s a choice between a government you know and a Labor opposition that you don’t.

“Our government is not perfect, we’ve never claimed to be, but you can see what we have achieved for Australia in incredibly difficult times. You can see our plan.”