Clive Palmer’s wife has been appointed Queensland deputy leader of his United Australia Party, two days after announcing she would run as a candidate in the state election.
Anna Palmer was revealed as the UAP candidate for Currumbin on Oct 2, just 28 days out from the election.
The Gold Coast seat is held by the Liberal National Party’s Laura Gerber with a 1.2 percent margin.
Labor have been considering targeting Currumbin, but Mr Palmer’s intervention could throw a spanner into the works, as the major parties joust for regional votes.
Ms Palmer said Queenslanders need a new deal.
“We need to cut the red tape, eliminate payroll tax and eliminate land tax to make our state stronger,” she said in a statement on Sunday.
Earlier, Ms Palmer said she was running against the Labor government’s handling of compassionate exemptions to its COVID-19 border restrictions.
“As a mother, I am appalled with how the current Queensland Labor government is treating families,'' she said.
Ms Palmer unsuccessfully sought preselection by her husband’s party for the Gold Coast seat of Gaven in 2014.
Queensland leader Greg Dowling said the party executive unanimously endorsed Mrs Palmer for the deputy position.
Queenslanders go the polls on October 31.
