Bannon's Influence Claim Ignites Australian Election Debate
Text messages released by the US Department of Justice, connected to the Jeffrey Epstein files, reveal American political strategist Steve Bannon claiming significant influence over Clive Palmer's extensive advertising campaign during the 2019 Australian federal election. This assertion has been vehemently denied by Mr. Palmer's spokesperson, who states there was no communication between Palmer and Bannon. In light of these claims, former opposition leader Bill Shorten has called for greater transparency regarding any external influences on Australia's electoral system.
The Allegation: Bannon's Text Messages
Steve Bannon, former senior advisor to US President Donald Trump, reportedly stated in text messages:
"I had Clive Palmer do the $60 million anti china and climate change ads."
These communications emerged from documents released by the US Department of Justice, linked to an email account associated with Jeffrey Epstein. The messages were sent just two days after the Australian federal election in May 2019.
Palmer's Firm Rejection
A spokesperson for Clive Palmer, Andrew Crook, unequivocally dismissed Bannon's claims, calling them "bullshit" and asserting that Mr. Palmer
"has never spoken to Bannon."
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has reported no evidence to suggest that Mr. Palmer ever met or communicated with either Bannon or Epstein.
The 2019 Election: UAP's Impact
During the 2019 election cycle, Mr. Palmer reactivated his United Australia Party (UAP). The party invested approximately $60 million in political advertising. Despite this substantial expenditure, the UAP did not secure any seats in Parliament. However, it garnered 3.4% of the national primary vote, with its preferences ultimately flowing to the Coalition.
The Coalition government was subsequently re-elected, an outcome that diverged from several pre-election polls that had indicated a potential Labor victory.
Palmer's Stated Motivations
Mr. Palmer had previously articulated his advertising expenditure as a means to prevent then-Labor leader Bill Shorten from becoming prime minister, with a stated goal:
"to stop Shorten introducing his taxes in Australia and destroying the country."
He also indicated a strategic pivot in the campaign's final weeks:
"to polarise the electorate"
— a move designed to impede Labor's electoral success.
Controversial Ad Content
UAP advertisements frequently criticized Labor and included claims that "communist China" was attempting a "clandestine takeover" of the country. Specific examples of these ads cited allegations of the McGowan Government selling an airport to China for $1.00 and featured anti-"Shifty Shorten" messaging.
Labor's Response and Call for Clarity
Labor's post-election review concluded that Palmer's advertising campaign had "a significant negative effect" on Labor leader Bill Shorten's popularity and the party's primary vote. The review highlighted that the considerable advertising spend amplified anti-Labor messages, particularly targeting economically insecure voters.
Following Bannon's reported claims, former federal opposition leader Bill Shorten called for clarity regarding "what forces were at play" during the election. Mr. Shorten stated that he considered Bannon's claims a "badge of honour," suggesting that if Bannon aimed to prevent Labor from winning, his party must have been "doing something right." He emphasized the importance of understanding any such influences to safeguard the integrity of the electoral system in the future.
Bannon's Global Populism and China Focus
Steve Bannon, a founding member of Breitbart News, publicly aimed to promote "Trump-style populism" globally after his departure from the White House in 2017. He has consistently expressed concerns regarding China's economic ascent and viewed Australia as a:
"canary in the mineshaft"
— concerning foreign ownership of economic assets. Bannon also reportedly exchanged messages with Epstein where he favorably acknowledged accusations of foreign interference in European elections.
During the 2019 Australian campaign, Bannon had commented to the Sydney Morning Herald that the campaign was "dull," expressing surprise at the limited discussion of China. He had suggested that:
"China should be a central debate tied to national security, and that 'insurgent parties should be generating the intensity.'"