Clive Palmer, the billionaire mining magnate and founder of the United Australia Party, has threatened to launch a High Court challenge over the Australian government’s plans to curb political donations.
The Albanese government is set to introduce legislation next week that would cap donations to political parties at $600,000 per year and limit individual donations to candidates and politicians to $20,000. The proposed reforms would also impose spending caps of $90 million for federal campaigns and $800,000 per electorate.
Mr. Palmer, who spent over $100 million to win just one Senate seat in the 2022 election, claims the reforms are designed to “suppress competition” and limit the ability of independents to run for office. He accused the Labor and Liberal parties of working together to “control Australians” and their democratic freedoms.
“As an Australian citizen, I will challenge these unconstitutional acts which will suppress freedom,” Palmer said in a furious statement. “Labor and the Liberals working together on this issue is a disgrace. The only hope for Australian people is if the High Court looks at the constitution and the implied rights of freedom of speech.”
The billionaire’s comments come as the government seeks to reduce the influence of wealthy donors and big-money campaigns on the political process. During the 2022 election, Palmer’s United Australia Party spent $116 million on its Senate campaign, resulting in just one seat for former real estate agent Ralph Babet.
Special Minister of State Don Farrell acknowledged that the proposed reforms would face challenges, but urged the Coalition and crossbench to support the measures, arguing they would “improve Australia’s political system” and help maintain public faith in democratic institutions.
However, independent Senator David Pocock has already accused the major parties of attempting to “ram through” the legislation without proper consultation with the crossbench. Pocock expressed concerns that the reforms could “lock out more community independents” and undermine grassroots representation.
As the debate over campaign finance reform continues in Australia, the High Court challenge threatened by the outspoken billionaire Clive Palmer promises to add another layer of complexity to the government’s efforts to curb the influence of wealthy donors in the country’s political landscape.
About the author
Ferry Services Resume After Six Weeks of Disruption, But Delays Hit Holyhead Reopening
Ferry services to and from Holyhead Port have resumed after being disrupted for over six weeks due to damage sustained during Storm Darragh in early December. The storm caused significant damage to terminals 3 and 5 at the Welsh port, with terminal 5 operating on a temporary basis upon reopening. The Irish Ferries ship WB Yeats arrived in Dublin Port from Holyhead this morning, marking the resumption of services. However, the initial restart was not without problems. Ger Hyland, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), reported a three-hour delay for the second ferry from Dublin to Holyhead due to an electrical fault at the port. Hyland expressed concern about the port's readiness, citing the large backlog of freight on the Welsh side. He emphasized the potential for "huge disaster" for the haulage sector, passengers, and Ireland's imports […]
Conor McGregor Named in Civil Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Assault at NBA Finals
Conor McGregor, the mixed martial arts fighter and former UFC champion, is facing a civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault at the Kaseya Center (formerly FTX Arena and American Airlines Arena) in Miami during the NBA Finals on June 9, 2023. The plaintiff alleges that McGregor assaulted her in a bathroom at the venue and is seeking unspecified damages from both McGregor and the Miami Heat Limited Partnership, the arena's ownership group. McGregor has denied the allegations through a spokesperson, dismissing them as a "shakedown." While the Miami Police Department initiated an investigation following a report filed on June 11, 2023, the Florida State Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges in October 2023. This declination does not preclude the pursuit of a civil suit, which has a different standard of proof than criminal proceedings. The lawsuit also details […]
Hollyoaks ‘Bad Boy’ Paul Danan Dies at 46
Paul Danan, best known for his role as Sol Patrick in the British soap opera Hollyoaks, has died at the age of 46, his management has confirmed. Danan portrayed the "bad boy" character on the Channel 4 show from 1997 to 2001 and subsequently became a familiar face on reality television. Independent Creative Management shared a statement with the PA news agency, expressing their sadness at Danan's passing and describing him as "a beacon of light to so many." They requested privacy for his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. Beyond Hollyoaks, Danan participated in the reality dating show Celebrity Love Island in both 2005 and 2006. He also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother (Channel 5) in 2017, where he was an early evictee and expressed hope that the show would revive his career. He frequently […]
Bandits Kill Three Telecom Workers in Kebbi State
Four people were killed in a bandit attack at a telecommunications construction site near the Nigeria-Niger border, Kebbi State police confirmed Saturday. The victims included three Airtel Communications employees and one local resident. The attack occurred on January 10 at approximately 8:47 pm in Gumki village, Arewa Local Government Area, where the workers were installing a surveillance mast for the Nigeria Immigration Service. The attackers, identified as suspected members of the Lakurawa bandit group, targeted the construction site. Kebbi State Police Commissioner Bello Sani and Immigration Service Comptroller Muhammad Bashir Lawali responded immediately to the incident, overseeing the transfer of victims' bodies to Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi. In response to the attack, the Police Commissioner has strengthened security in the area by deploying additional tactical teams specifically tasked with targeting the Lakurawa bandits. He also organized a […]
‘The Right Man Won’t Be Scared’, Dancer Kaffy Speaks on Love After Divorce
Popular Nigerian dancer Kafayat Shafau, known professionally as Kaffy, has addressed speculation about dating following her 2022 separation from Joseph Ameh. The dancer and author dismissed the notion that successful women intimidate potential partners, stating confidently that the right man will approach her without fear. "A man who knows what he wants goes for it," Kaffy explained in an interview with Saturday Beats. While acknowledging that women can be successful independently, she emphasized that wanting companionship is natural, though not desperate. "Any man who has me is blessed," she added, reflecting her strong sense of self-worth. Speaking about her separation from Ameh, Kaffy maintained a remarkably mature perspective. Rather than assigning blame, she described it simply as two people no longer being in agreement. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental well-being, especially as a parent, over staying in an […]
Road Rage Incident in Temiskaming Shores, Canada
A 37-year-old suspect from Englehart, Ontario, has been charged in connection with a road rage incident that took place in Temiskaming Shores. The alarming event, captured on the victim’s dash cam, shows a white Toyota Rav 4 intentionally chasing and eventually ramming into the victim’s vehicle. The incident occurred on December 30th at around 1 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 11 and Highway 65 in Temiskaming Shores. In a news release on Friday, the Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stated: "The Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police is seeking assistance from the public in locating anyone having video/dash camera footage in relation to collisions and erratic driving" linked to this incident. Following the collision, OPP officers made several attempts to stop the suspect's vehicle, ultimately deploying a spike belt. This action successfully halted the vehicle, and the driver was arrested without […]
Related
Netflix Shocks Fans With Price Hike After Record Breaking Growth
Netflix has announced price increases across multiple countries following a substantial growth of nearly 19 million subscribers in late 2024. The streaming service plans to implement higher subscription costs in the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Portugal, while remaining silent about potential UK price changes. In the US market, the standard ad-free subscription will increase to $17.99 monthly from $15.49, while the ad-supported tier will rise by one dollar to $7.99. The company's last US price adjustment occurred in October 2023, which coincided with UK price modifications for certain plans. The streaming giant justified the price increases, stating, "We will occasionally ask our members to pay a little more so that we can re-invest to further improve Netflix." The subscriber growth, which significantly exceeded expectations of 9.6 million new members between October and December, brought Netflix's total subscriber base above […]
Female Speaker Makes History As Irish Parliament Welcomes New Leader
Ireland's 35th Dáil (parliament) is set to reconvene Wednesday with Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin returning as taoiseach (prime minister). The transition will see current leader Simon Harris of Fine Gael move to the role of tánaiste (deputy prime minister). Following November's election, Fianna Fáil emerged as the largest party with 48 seats and has formed a government through a coalition with Fine Gael (38 seats) and several independent regional TDs (members of parliament). Sinn Féin, despite winning 39 seats, remains in opposition after being ruled out as a coalition partner by both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael—a decision that Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald criticized as "bad practice." The new government formation comes after approximately five weeks of negotiations, with both Martin and Harris recently confirming a draft programme for government that received endorsement from their respective parties. […]
Trump Removes Historic Coast Guard Commander On First Day
Admiral Linda Fagan, the first woman to lead a U.S. military branch, has been removed from her position as Coast Guard Commandant within 24 hours of President Donald Trump taking office. The dismissal was first reported by Fox News and was confirmed through a statement to Coast Guard units obtained by The New York Times. The statement cited "leadership deficiencies, operational failures and inability to advance the strategic objectives of the U.S. Coast Guard" as reasons for her termination. It also mentioned her "excessive focus" on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies as a factor. The removal aligns with Trump's broader executive action issued after his inauguration, calling for federal agencies to end DEI initiatives, which he described as "illegal and immoral." In the executive order, Trump stated that "the public release of these plans demonstrated immense public waste and […]
Deadly Indonesian Landslide Traps Victims Under Mountain of Mud
A devastating landslide triggered by heavy rain has claimed 19 lives in Indonesia's Central Java province, with rescue operations ongoing in the Pekalongan region. The disaster struck Tuesday along a main road connecting the city to the tourist destination of Dieng plateau. The impact was severe, with local media showing extensive damage as houses and rice fields disappeared under mud, rubble, and rocks. Rescue efforts faced significant challenges, as teams had to trek four kilometers to reach the site due to blocked road access. Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), confirmed that two additional bodies were recovered Wednesday morning, bringing the total death toll to 19. The search and rescue agency Basarnas reported 13 people were injured in the incident. Local official Mohammad Yulian Akbar said approximately 200 rescue personnel have been deployed, along with heavy […]
Ukraine Army Psychiatrist Faces Prison Over Corruption Charge
Ukrainian authorities have arrested their military's chief psychiatrist on allegations of illegal enrichment after discovering assets worth over $1 million acquired since Russia's February 2022 invasion. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported that the suspect served on a commission evaluating individuals' fitness for military service. While the SBU's statement didn't identify the individual, previous records indicate Oleh Druz held the position of chief psychiatrist for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. According to investigators, the detained official's undeclared assets include three apartments in or near Kyiv, one in Odesa, two land plots, and multiple BMW luxury vehicles. A search of his residence uncovered $152,000 and €34,000 in cash. The SBU reports these properties were registered under various family members' names, including his wife, daughter, sons, and other parties. If convicted of illegal enrichment and false declaration charges, the suspect could face […]
Eight Dead As Israeli Forces Launch Major Raid in Jenin
Eight Palestinians were killed and 35 injured during a major Israeli military operation in Jenin, West Bank, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The operation, named "Iron Wall," involved air strikes, troops, drones, helicopters, and armored bulldozers entering the city and its refugee camp. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu described it as an "extensive and significant" operation to "defeat terrorism" in Jenin, which Israel considers a stronghold of Palestinian armed groups. The military aims to maintain its "freedom of action" in the West Bank, dismantle armed groups' infrastructure, and eliminate threats. Jenin's hospital director reported that three doctors and two nurses were among those wounded by Israeli gunfire. Palestinian security forces withdrew from some positions before the Israeli forces arrived, with their spokesman stating that Israeli forces had "opened fire on civilians and security forces." Netanyahu linked the operation to broader […]
Be the first to leave a comment