Clive Palmer's Trumpet of Patriots Faces Backlash Over Controversial Ads
Transgender advocacy groups criticize political advertisements, while Palmer's party plans significant investment in forthcoming elections.
Clive Palmer's new political party, the Trumpet of Patriots, has announced plans to exceed the previous record of over $100 million spent by his former party during the 2022 federal election campaign.
This announcement comes in the wake of a strong backlash from transgender advocacy groups regarding a series of political advertisements that feature contentious claims about gender.
Transgender Victoria has publicly denounced the ads, which appeared in major newspapers including _The Australian_ and _The Age_.
The organization has called for Palmer’s party to retract what it describes as a "dangerous and hateful ad" and to issue an apology, citing concerns over the harmful impact of transphobic rhetoric on mental health and community well-being.
The ads state prominently, "There are only two genders – male and female," and urge a cessation of what they term "confusion" in educational settings.
Son Vivienne, the chief executive of Transgender Victoria, expressed concern that the campaign could exacerbate already high rates of self-harm within the transgender community.
Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown also criticized the ads, labeling them as inflammatory and stating that they are unlikely to contribute meaningfully to public debate on complex LGBTQ+ issues.
In response to the controversy, Australia’s largest regional publisher issued an apology for featuring the same advertisement in the _Newcastle Herald_.
Tony Kendall, managing director of Australian Community Media, acknowledged the decision fell short of the company's values and confirmed plans to remove the ad from digital editions.
Since its launch in February, the Trumpet of Patriots has quickly engaged in widespread advertising, having secured 14 front-page placements in major daily newspapers over just five days.
The party's advertising blitz covers various contentious topics, including immigration and indigenous recognition.
Palmer previously garnered attention during the 2021 and 2022 electoral cycles for his aggressive campaigning style and his party’s controversial positions regarding COVID-19 vaccinations, leading to a historical record of election spending without securing a substantial electoral outcome.
He aims to continue this trend in the upcoming 2025 federal election.
In terms of media advertising, the Trumpet of Patriots has already allocated nearly $4 million to television slots across Australia's three major commercial networks—Seven, Nine, and Ten—before the election date has been confirmed.
In January and February, Palmer's previous political endeavors, through his mining company Mineralogy, spent approximately $4 million on advertising in both print and broadcast media, with messages now pivoting to identify him as the chair of the Trumpet of Patriots.
The ads include assertions such as, "Australia needs Trump policies," and feature former Fox News presenter Tucker Carlson endorsing Palmer's commitment to free speech.
Advertisements have been strategically placed during high-viewership television shows and across various prominent newspapers, including notable titles like _The Australian Financial Review_, _The Age_, and _Sydney Morning Herald_.
Additionally, a nationwide billboard campaign has been launched alongside a substantial digital advertising effort.
As the Trumpet of Patriots prepares for the election, it is reportedly undergoing an endorsement process aimed at fielding candidates in all 150 House seats and nominating three Senate candidates for each state.
Despite this extensive advertising strategy, polling data suggests that the party has not yet garnered significant voter support, according to Jim Reed of the polling firm Resolve.
Reed noted that Palmer's track record—having launched three parties in successive elections—indicates ongoing challenges in securing elected representatives.
The political landscape ahead of the upcoming election indicates restrictions on advertising expenditures for established parties like Labor and the Liberal Party, creating a unique environment for newer political movements such as Palmer's party.
This announcement comes in the wake of a strong backlash from transgender advocacy groups regarding a series of political advertisements that feature contentious claims about gender.
Transgender Victoria has publicly denounced the ads, which appeared in major newspapers including _The Australian_ and _The Age_.
The organization has called for Palmer’s party to retract what it describes as a "dangerous and hateful ad" and to issue an apology, citing concerns over the harmful impact of transphobic rhetoric on mental health and community well-being.
The ads state prominently, "There are only two genders – male and female," and urge a cessation of what they term "confusion" in educational settings.
Son Vivienne, the chief executive of Transgender Victoria, expressed concern that the campaign could exacerbate already high rates of self-harm within the transgender community.
Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown also criticized the ads, labeling them as inflammatory and stating that they are unlikely to contribute meaningfully to public debate on complex LGBTQ+ issues.
In response to the controversy, Australia’s largest regional publisher issued an apology for featuring the same advertisement in the _Newcastle Herald_.
Tony Kendall, managing director of Australian Community Media, acknowledged the decision fell short of the company's values and confirmed plans to remove the ad from digital editions.
Since its launch in February, the Trumpet of Patriots has quickly engaged in widespread advertising, having secured 14 front-page placements in major daily newspapers over just five days.
The party's advertising blitz covers various contentious topics, including immigration and indigenous recognition.
Palmer previously garnered attention during the 2021 and 2022 electoral cycles for his aggressive campaigning style and his party’s controversial positions regarding COVID-19 vaccinations, leading to a historical record of election spending without securing a substantial electoral outcome.
He aims to continue this trend in the upcoming 2025 federal election.
In terms of media advertising, the Trumpet of Patriots has already allocated nearly $4 million to television slots across Australia's three major commercial networks—Seven, Nine, and Ten—before the election date has been confirmed.
In January and February, Palmer's previous political endeavors, through his mining company Mineralogy, spent approximately $4 million on advertising in both print and broadcast media, with messages now pivoting to identify him as the chair of the Trumpet of Patriots.
The ads include assertions such as, "Australia needs Trump policies," and feature former Fox News presenter Tucker Carlson endorsing Palmer's commitment to free speech.
Advertisements have been strategically placed during high-viewership television shows and across various prominent newspapers, including notable titles like _The Australian Financial Review_, _The Age_, and _Sydney Morning Herald_.
Additionally, a nationwide billboard campaign has been launched alongside a substantial digital advertising effort.
As the Trumpet of Patriots prepares for the election, it is reportedly undergoing an endorsement process aimed at fielding candidates in all 150 House seats and nominating three Senate candidates for each state.
Despite this extensive advertising strategy, polling data suggests that the party has not yet garnered significant voter support, according to Jim Reed of the polling firm Resolve.
Reed noted that Palmer's track record—having launched three parties in successive elections—indicates ongoing challenges in securing elected representatives.
The political landscape ahead of the upcoming election indicates restrictions on advertising expenditures for established parties like Labor and the Liberal Party, creating a unique environment for newer political movements such as Palmer's party.
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