UTAS and Griffith research explains Clive Palmer’s rapid political ascent and whimpering decline

One of the more amusing episodes in mainstream Australia politics has been vividly captured in one of the more amusing scholarly journals that will be published in 2016. Ballots and Billions: Clive Palmer's Personal Party by Dr Glenn Kefford from the University of Tasmania and Duncan McDonnell from Griffith University analyses the meteoric rise of the Palmer United Party (PUP), from non-existent to four parliamentarians in six months, through several turbulent state elections, the departure of two senators and its broad "deflation" of significance as PUP nears its second federal election.