Mining magnate Clive Palmer plans to run candidates for his revamped United Australia Party in all lower house and Senate seats in the federal election, but Australian National University emeritus professor John Warhurst has warned the party runs the risk of fielding ''dud'' candidates.
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Mr Palmer, a former life member of the Liberal National Party, announced on Thursday that he would relaunch the UAP, which was dissolved in 1945. On Friday, he said he would run in the Queensland seat of Fairfax, held by retiring Liberal MP Alex Somlyay, and that he was also standing for the prime ministership.
Professor Warhurst told Fairfax Media that with only 3½ months until the election campaign starts on August 12, Mr Palmer's party faced an uphill battle to find about 190 suitable candidates and screen them for ''baggage''.
''There is a real danger with the quality of the candidates that would be attracted at such short notice,'' he said, noting that One Nation, Family First and Bob Katter's Australian Party have faced similar issues.
Professor Warhurst said that it was also very late to be starting local campaigns, but added that Mr Palmer had the advantage of funds and a public profile. ''With money and energy it's possible for him to get it done.''
Prime Minister Julia Gillard told ABC Radio on Friday that she preferred not to comment on Mr Palmer's bid for office and whether his party might skim votes away from the Coalition parties. ''It's all a question for Mr Palmer and the appropriate party registration processes,'' she said.
The Prime Minister also rejected a claim by Mr Palmer that both major parties did not care about indigenous infant mortality: ''That claim is complete rubbish from Mr Palmer,'' she said.
But others were happy to comment on Mr Palmer's political ambitions. Former prime minister Kevin Rudd on Friday called Mr Palmer's new party a ''last-minute stunt,'' questioning why he was setting up the party so close to the election. ''Why on earth are you doing it now?'' Mr Rudd asked on Channel Seven.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott dismissed any threat to the Coalition's electoral chances.
''If you are serious about changing the prime minister, well, there's one candidate,'' he said.
Mr Palmer's party will also pit him against fellow Queenslander Bob Katter.
KAP national director Aidan McLindon welcomed the announcement, describing it as a ''strengthening of forces'' against Labor and the Coalition. He said that while there may be ''fringe differences'' between Mr Katter and Mr Palmer on economic issues, they shared a lot of common ground.
Mr McLindon said KAP would seek to begin negotiations with Mr Palmer, with the hope of reaching preference deals.
Mr Palmer told ABC Radio: ''We have nothing to do with the Katter Party.''
with Amy Remeikis and AAP
