Cartoons of the Week

Peter Broelman

David Rowe

Cathy Wilcox

 

Debt laden Clive Palmer's United Australia Party currently being considered for deregistration by the Australian Electoral Commission

Australian Electoral Commission notice of 17 September 2020:

This political party appears to be on the chopping block because it now has less than 500 members.

In recent years Clive Frederick Palmer appears to have exclusively funded this political party through his companies Mineralology Pty Ltd and Palmer Coolum Resort Pty Ltd.

It currently has debts of $8,829,343 of which $8,208,389 is owed to Google Australia Pty Ltd and another $609,039 to IPG Marketing Solutions.

According to an Australian Securities and Investments Commission media release billionaire Clive Palmer is due back in court on 27 November 2020 in relation to; two counts of contravening section 184(2)(a) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Act) - dishonest use of position as a director and two counts of contravening section 408C(1)(d) of the Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld) – fraud by dishonestly gaining a benefit or advantage in that he allegedly dishonestly obtained a benefit or advantage for Cosmo Developments Pty Ltd and/or the Palmer United Party (PUP) and others by authorising the transfer of $10,000,000 contrary to the purpose for which the funds were being held. It is alleged that he dishonestly used his position as a director of Mineralogy Pty Ltd (Mineralogy), a mining company owned by him, in obtaining that advantage.

United Australia Party founder & former MP for Fairfax Clive Palmer facing charges which might lead to 12 years imprisonment

Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), media release, 17 July 2020:

20-163MR Clive Palmer charged over breaches of directors’ duties and fraud 

Following an ASIC investigation, Mr Clive Frederick Palmer, 66 of Broadbeach Waters in Queensland, has been charged with two counts of contravening section 184(2)(a) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Act) - dishonest use of position as a director and two counts of contravening section 408C(1)(d) of the Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld) – fraud by dishonestly gaining a benefit or advantage. 

ASIC alleges that between 5 August 2013 and 5 September 2013, Mr Palmer dishonestly obtained a benefit or advantage for Cosmo Developments Pty Ltd and/or the Palmer United Party (PUP) and others by authorising the transfer of $10,000,000 contrary to the purpose for which the funds were being held. It is alleged that he dishonestly used his position as a director of Mineralogy Pty Ltd (Mineralogy), a mining company owned by him, in obtaining that advantage. 

ASIC also alleges that, between 31 August 2013 and 3 September 2013, Mr Palmer dishonestly obtained a benefit or advantage for Media Circus Network Pty Ltd and/or PUP by authorising the transfer of $2,167,065.60 contrary to the purpose for which the funds were being held. It is alleged that Mr Palmer dishonestly used his position as a director of Mineralogy in obtaining that advantage. 

The maximum penalty for an offence under section 184(2) of the Act is $340,000 or imprisonment for five years, or both. 

The maximum penalty for an offence under section 408C of the Code is five years’ imprisonment. However, if circumstances of aggravation are established the maximum penalty at the time the offences are alleged to have occurred is increased to 12 years’ imprisonment. 

The matter was first mentioned in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on 20 March 2020, at which time the matter was adjourned for further mention on 17 July 2020. On 17 July 2020 the matter was adjourned until 28 August 2020. 

The matter is being prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

Palmer loses bid in Australian High Court to stifle election coverage on 18 May 2019

Clive Palmer before he resigned from parliament ahead of the 2016 federal election
Image: Huffington Post

Mining billionaire Clive Palmer may be back onto the Forbes Australian Rich List and currently attempting to 'buy' his way into the Senate on 18 May 2019, but the High Court of Australia is unimpressed by his latest legal foray.

The  Court unanimously dismissed Clive Palmer's application with reasons to be given at a later date.

SBS News, 7 May2019:

Clive Palmer's attempt to delay the publication of early results on federal election night has been shot down by the High Court.

Mr Palmer wanted the detailed data kept quiet until all polling booths had closed, lest last-minute crowds in far-flung locations be swayed by the results.

He was concerned West Australian voters who left their run until the last two hours could be influenced by early figures from the eastern states.

But the full bench of the High Court ruled the Australian Electoral Commission does not need to wait for stragglers in WA before broadcasting indications in east coast seats.

"The court is unanimous in its view that the application should be dismissed," Chief Justice Susan Kiefel said on Tuesday…..

Mr Palmer's case takes aim at the AEC's two-candidate preferred counting practice.

This is used on election night to give an early indication of results.

But the two candidates listed are almost always from Labor and the coalition, rather than the minor parties or independents. But the two candidates listed are almost always from Labor and the coalition, rather than the minor parties or independents…….

Solicitor-General Stephen Donaghue downplayed the potential "bandwagon" effect.

Mr Donaghue said last-minute voters in WA voters could be influenced by many other factors, including basic voting figures and exit polls.

He also argued the federal election was not a presidential race, with people in WA voting for different local candidates than those on the east coast.

Palmer's United Australia Party is said to be standing candidates in every federal electorate and for Senate positions in every state.

The Guardian reported on 1 May 2019 that almost 40% of all United Australia party candidates do not live in the electorates they are standing for and, the party has recruited senior executives from Clive Palmer’s mining interests to fill its ranks.

Declaration of Registrable Interests of Clive Palmer MP - owner of Waratah Coal which has mining interests on the NSW North Coast

Because the new Federal Member for Fairfax and Leader of the Palmer United Party, Clive Palmer MP, appears to be the sole owner of exploration and coal mine development company Waratah Coal Pty Ltd and, because this company holds at least two exploration licenses  in the Nymbioda district of the Clarence River catchment area it would be wise for local residents to familiarise themselves with the diverse and often complex business relationships of this politician as set out in his Statement of Registrable Interests.

Clive Frederick Palmer MP - Statement of Registrable Interests, 44th Australian Parliament (10 December 201...

Hey, Clive, how many PUP candidates are running in Richmond?

Clive Palmer's dog team (aka PUP) has been promoting Dr Phil as its candidate in Richmond. 

And gee, doesn't Dr Phil look good in his beach attire!?

However, in recent days households have been bombarded with PUP how-to-vote junk that says the PUP candidate in Richmond is Charles Allen. The junk was printed at 11 Don Zhi Men South Street, DongChen District, Beijing, China

Credit: The first image is from Tweed Daily News . No one deserves any credit for the second image.

Photograph & video of the rare Australian Featherless Drongo

Australian Featherless Drongo

Parasitus palma

Family: Cuculidae
Sparse plumage

Usually solitary but sometimes seen with Noisy Miners

Natural habitat is degraded land and open cut mines

Call is similar to that of the European Common Cuckoo

Recognizable by its clumsy flight

Untidy nest construction

Frequently lays eggs in nests of other avian species

Aggressive feeder
Has been the subject of an international banding program by

LaRouche Movement

Citizens Electoral Council

Christopher Monckton, 3rd Viscount Monckton of Brenchley

Nominated for protected species status by
Liberal and National Parties of Australia

Video of the Featherless Drongo in the wild


http://youtu.be/TryXOPcLW2A