Backlash against Palmer and his United Australia Party ad campaign

A Labor-aligned union has taken aim at Clive Palmer’s management of Queensland Nickel as the billionaire businessman maintains his party’s high profile in the campaign.

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Palmer’s United Australia Party continues to run newspaper, online and broadcast advertisements and billboards in characteristic yellow. Some recent print ads have been switched to blue in an attempt to sow seeds of Liberal Party disunity.

For months, the billboards have been under attack through the support of a collective known as AdJackers, pushing back at what it has labelled a #YellowStain. AdJackers did not respond to requests for comment.

A spokesman for Palmer told police in NSW were investigating the attacks, however he did not provide enough information for NSW police to confirm.

While AdJackers is now targeting anyone linked to Palmer, including through preferences, the UAP is still polling in the low single digits.

On Monday, the Australian Workers’ Union launched a new video critical of Palmer’s management of the Queensland Nickel plant in an effort to dissuade blue-collar voters from supporting him.

“After the collapse of Queensland Nickel and the struggle workers had to go through to get their entitlements, many were silenced with strict non-disparagement clauses — not exactly ‘freedom’,” AWU national secretary Daniel Walton said.

“We know the UAP has been successful in picking up support in regional seats, and I don’t blame blue-collar workers for a second if they’re looking for an alternative from politics as usual.

“But the fact of the matter is Clive just ain’t it. He is no friend of the worker.”

Palmer – who would be treasurer in an unlikely UAP government, led by prime minister Craig Kelly – continues to campaign against the major parties.