Abbott and Newman feud could be a sham: Clive Palmer

Federal Member for Fairfax

Media release

The federal leader of Palmer United Party and Member for Fairfax, Clive Palmer, says the so-called feud between Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Queensland Premier Campbell Newman could be a sham.

Mr Palmer said Mr Newman’s dispute with Mr Abbott over proposed cuts to school and hospital funding in Queensland seemed contrived.

“This row between Newman and Abbott is curious given the LNP government in Queensland faces re-election within the next 12 months,” Mr Palmer said.

“Is this just posturing to try and boost Premier Newman’s plummeting popularity in the run up to the next Queensland election where the LNP is facing a huge challenge from the Palmer United Party?

“Other conservative state leaders in NSW and Victoria also must go to the polls within the next year. Is this all just a Liberal Party ploy to eventually agree to the state leaders, soften budget measures and make the state Liberal leaders more popular before state elections?”

Mr Palmer said the Abbott/Hockey budget is the real reason consumer confidence is at an all-time low.

“They have to fix the budget to fix the economy,” he said.

“Tony Abbott is busy blaming others for putting Australia’s AAA credit rating at risk but it is all his own doing. “

Mr Palmer said the Palmer United Party had received a massive boost in membership since the budget, mostly from disenchanted Liberals.

“As we saw in the re-election for the Senate in Western Australia, support for the major political parties in the country is collapsing,” he said.

“The Palmer United Party is the last sentry at the gate for ensuring all Australians get a fair go.”

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