Clive Palmer slammed after text messages from political party are sent to thousands of Australians 

‘How the heck did he get my mobile number?’: Clive Palmer is slammed after unsolicited text messages from his political party are sent to thousands of Australians

  • Mining magnate Clive Palmer has come under fire for the texts sent on Friday 
  • United Australia Party sent unsolicited texts to residents across the country
  • But the party said they hadn’t broken any rules despite a social media backlash  

Mining magnate and ex-politician Clive Palmer has come under fire after his political party sent thousands of unsolicited messages to Australian phone numbers.

Mr Palmer’s United Australia Party, which was approved to run at this year’s federal election last month, sent the texts to people across the country on Friday.

Many of those who received the notifications took to social media to share screenshots of the message and vent their fury.

Mining magnate and ex-politician Clive Palmer has come under fire after his United Australia Party sent thousands of unsolicited messages to Australian phone numbers (version sent to Melbourne residents pictured)

Twitter users who were on the receiving end of the party's electoral marketing displayed a mix of bemusement and frustration at the texts

Twitter users who were on the receiving end of the party’s electoral marketing displayed a mix of bemusement and frustration at the texts

In Sydney and Melbourne the message focused on the New South Wales transport network, telling residents: ‘Make Australia Great. Fast trains for Sydney. One hour to CBD from up to 300kms away. Vote One United Australia Party. Clive Palmer’.

Phone users in Queensland and South Australia also reported receiving messages – tailored to Mr Palmer’s pledge to cut tax and the party’s energy policy respectively.

Twitter users who were on the receiving end of the party’s electoral marketing displayed a mix of bemusement and frustration at the texts.

‘I have never given them (the party) my number nor authorised them to use it – I don’t want to ever receive political texts from any party! Why can they do this?’ one user said.

‘How the HECK did Clive Palmer get my mobile number?’ another added. 

The United Australia Party has insisted it was not breaking any rules by sending out the messages, according to Channel 9.

As well as those in Sydney and Melbourne, phone users in Queensland and South Australia also reported receiving messages - tailored to Mr Palmer's (pictured ) pledge to cut tax and energy policy in the state's respectively

As well as those in Sydney and Melbourne, phone users in Queensland and South Australia also reported receiving messages – tailored to Mr Palmer’s (pictured ) pledge to cut tax and energy policy in the state’s respectively

‘Texts sent to residents were fully compliant under legislation approved by Liberal and Labor governments,’ a spokesman for the party said.

Criticism of Mr Palmer’s party comes after heavy metal band Twisted Sister took aim at the former federal MP for Fairfax – claiming an advertisement by his party ripped off one of their songs.

The controversial businessman has claimed the ‘re-establishment’ of a UAP, which former prime ministers Robert Menzies and Joseph Lyons once served under, is a ‘significant milestone’ in Australian political history.

‘We have very strong membership and interest in our party and have formally opened nominations for all 151 lower house seats and all Senate positions,’ he said.

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