Billionaire Clive Palmer gives ‘No’ campaign a $2m funding boost as Voice to Parliament referendum approaches
Billionaire mining magnate Clive Palmer has pledged $2 million to the No campaign in the final weeks before the Voice to Parliament referendum.
Most of that money will be used for a last-minute advertising blitz in South Australia and Tasmania, both of which are considered must-win seats for both sides of the debate.
Total ad spend for The Voice will reach nearly $30 million on October 14, with both the No camp and Yes23 focusing on the final weeks of the campaign.
Mr Palmer, who spent $117 million for his political party United Australia Party in the 2022 election and won just one seat, told The Australian he would also be involved his company Mineralogy.
Billionaire mining magnate Clive Palmer has pledged $2 million to the No campaign in the final weeks before the Voice to Parliament referendum
He told the newspaper that he had not consulted indigenous leaders and that his campaign was not associated with the official No campaign.
“We are spending the money to express our point of view. We focus on Tasmania and South Australia. We will advertise in all states, but will focus on that,” Palmer said.
It is cheaper to advertise in Tassie and South Australia.
‘I think the No case will win. My prediction is 30 percent yes when we reach the election date.
“If you look at it in context, the most important thing in Australia right now is not yes or no, but the cost of living and how the average Australian is going to find their way.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that while the fear campaigns backed by millions of donations can be powerful, “fear never changes you for the better.”
Since a referendum requires a majority vote and a majority of states to be successful, both sides of the campaign are seeking to put South Australia and Tasmania on trial.
Western Australia and Queensland are largely considered lost to the Yes camp, while Victoria and NSW are more likely to support the change.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that while the fear campaigns backed by millions of donations can be powerful, “fear never changes you for the better.”
“You change it through hope,” he told ABC Sydney.
‘That’s what this referendum is about.’
He said the campaign in recent weeks would make it clear to Australians, especially the undecided and soft no’s, that A Voice is about recognition and listening.
Remote voting began across the country this week, with primaries starting on Monday and Tuesday.