Thread by @democratie_kate

1/UPDATE ON #ClivePalmer AND #UAP

I'm exhausted. I've been through the entire Australian Constitution and am partway into the QLD Electoral Act. I need a break & I'm taking one. But I'll let you know what I've got first.

2/I haven't even begun reading the section on fraud yet so I expect to find more solid arguments against Palmer in due course. Right now I'm focusing on the definition of 'political party' according to the Act. My argument is that the UAP does not satisfy the definition.

3/As defined in the Electoral Act, a political party is an organisation 1 of whose objects is promoting the election to the Legislative Assembly of a candidate/s endorsed by it. I say this is NOT one of the UAP's objects. I base this claim not on proof, but on precedence.

4/From events surrounding the 2018 federal election, I have 5 key facts & 2 points of speculation, to suggest that Clive Palmer was never interested in getting a candidate into the House of Reps, but rather in influencing the election result to favour the LNP,

5/with the ultimate aim of obtaining government approval to open a new coal mine. I think motive will be hard to prove, but there is absolutely hard evidence that his objective was to influence the election result, not to get a candidate into the Lower House.

6/Bear in mind that this stuff is off the top of my head. I haven't yet gone back to scrutinise his movements in the lead-up to the 2018 election. But I will. I'm no lawyer but I do have a background in research, and I will leave no stone unturned.

7/I'll continue to update my investigation and type up my findings and rationale. I will seek professional advice with regard to turning my report over to the QEC. I myself have no intention or desire to sue Clive Palmer.

8/I can't afford it, and in any case it's not me he's defrauded. It's the nation. It's our democracy he's done for. I mean to do what I can to make sure he answers for it. It may come to nothing but I'll give it a damn good shot. #auspol #QLDvotes