Media release
UAP outlines New Deal for the nation
United Australia Party Chairman Clive Palmer has outlined his "New Deal" for Australia ahead of the next federal election.
The UAP, which has 80,000 members nationwide, today announced its priorities for prosperity - delivering a comprehensive policy program aimed at addressing rising living costs, housing pressures and declining living standards.
Mr Palmer said many voters had lost confidence in the political system.
"Like you, as a citizen of Australia I'm disgusted by the selfishness of politicians and political parties fighting over their positions and what they might gain from the public purse," Mr Palmer said.
"This country has enormous wealth and capacity to provide a prosperous future for you and your family. The solution is not just pointing out what is wrong but setting out a program with a pathway to prosperity."
Mr Palmer said the proposed New Deal comes at a time when hundreds of thousands of Australians were homeless and millions of households were struggling to afford food.
"All this is happening in a nation with enormous resources and opportunity," he said.
Under the proposal, the UAP would seek to abolish Australia's Net Zero emissions target, this would reduce energy costs and lower the overall cost of living by allowing all forms of energy generation to compete in the market.
The party is also proposing a 25 per cent export licence on Australian gas sold overseas while exempting gas used for domestic power generation from taxation, with the aim of increasing local supply and reducing electricity prices.
Mr Palmer said the New Deal would introduce a temporary policy of zero immigration, apart from family reunions and limited work permits for major national projects, arguing that current population growth was placing pressure on housing, infrastructure and public services.
The policy platform also includes a proposal to increase pensions and welfare payments by 30 per cent through a new Australian Care Benefit, funded in part by abolishing the National Disability Insurance Scheme and redirecting the savings into broader welfare and health spending.
Health funding would be doubled under the plan, with a focus on expanding hospital capacity, increasing regional health services and making GP visits and other medical carefree through Commonwealth funding.
Mr Palmer said the New Deal also proposed significant changes to the education system, including limiting foreign student numbers, fully funding universities through government support, abolishing student debt and making higher education free and merit-based for Australians.
Housing affordability would be addressed through a proposed $1 trillion national housing program designed to increase supply, fast-track approvals and support home ownership. The plan includes low-interest government-backed loans through a Housing Lending Authority and the development of new transport links to open land for housing within commuting distance of major cities.
The policy framework also proposes a 25 per cent export licence on Australian iron ore shipments, with the revenue dedicated solely to repaying the national debt.
Mr Palmer said Australia's superannuation system should also be restructured to encourage greater domestic investment, requiring super funds receiving tax concessions to invest more heavily in Australian industry and infrastructure.
Other measures outlined in the New Deal include establishing a national fund to address homelessness and food insecurity, offering tax incentives for food producers who donate to charities, and introducing a 20 per cent income tax concession for people living more than 200 kilometres from capital cities to encourage regional development.
Mr Palmer said the plan also included a review of the public service aimed at reducing duplication between levels of government and improving efficiency.
"Australia needs new solutions to the challenges we face," he said.
"The New Deal is about using the resources of this country for the benefit of all Australians and setting out a path to a stronger and more prosperous future."
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