Clive Palmer Denies Steve Bannon's Claim of Involvement in 2019 Australian Election Ad Strategy

A recent release of documents by the US Department of Justice has shed light on a surprising claim made by far-right strategist Steve Bannon regarding his alleged involvement in Australian billionaire Clive Palmer's 2019 federal election advertising campaign. According to a text conversation between Bannon and an unidentified person, believed to be convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Bannon claimed to have been behind Palmer's $60 million advertising strategy. However, Palmer's spokesman has vehemently denied these claims. The text conversation, which was part of a larger tranche of documents released in connection with Epstein, appears to show Bannon taking credit for Palmer's advertising campaign. The conversation is undated, but it is believed to have taken place in 2019, around the time of the Australian federal election. In the conversation, Bannon seems to boast about his involvement in Palmer's campaign, claiming that he was the mastermind behind the billionaire's advertising strategy. However, Palmer's spokesman has denied these claims, stating that Bannon had no involvement in the campaign. The spokesman emphasized that Palmer's advertising strategy was developed in-house, and that Bannon had no role in its creation or implementation. The denial has sparked a heated debate about the extent of Bannon's influence on Australian politics. Bannon, a former advisor to US President Donald Trump, has been known for his involvement in various far-right campaigns around the world. His alleged involvement in Palmer's campaign has raised concerns about the potential for foreign interference in Australian politics. The 2019 Australian federal election was marked by a series of controversy surrounding Palmer's advertising campaign. The campaign, which was estimated to have cost around $60 million, was criticized for its negative tone and misleading advertisements. Palmer's party, the United Australia Party, ultimately failed to win any seats in the election, despite the significant investment in the campaign. The release of the documents has also raised questions about the relationship between Bannon and Epstein. The two men have been known to have connections, with Bannon having previously worked with Epstein on various projects. However, the exact nature of their relationship remains unclear. In a statement, Palmer's spokesman emphasized that the billionaire had no knowledge of the text conversation between Bannon and Epstein. The spokesman also denied any involvement with Bannon or Epstein, stating that Palmer's campaign was focused solely on promoting the United Australia Party's policies. The controversy surrounding Bannon's alleged involvement in Palmer's campaign has sparked calls for greater transparency in Australian politics. Many have argued that the incident highlights the need for stricter regulations on foreign interference in Australian elections. In response to the controversy, the Australian Electoral Commission has announced an investigation into the matter. The commission will examine the claims made by Bannon and determine whether any laws were broken. As the investigation unfolds, the Australian public will be watching closely to see how the controversy plays out. One thing is certain, however: the incident has raised important questions about the influence of foreign actors in Australian politics, and the need for greater transparency and accountability in the country's electoral system. Sources: * US Department of Justice documents * Clive Palmer's spokesman * Australian Electoral Commission