By NIKKI TODD
DOCTOR Phil Allen returned to his surgery this week, overwhelmed by the show of support for him as a candidate in the fledging Palmer United Party.
Dr Allen secured a respectable 7.5 per cent of the primary vote in Richmond on Saturday, mirroring the strong showing of the new party across the country.
The PUP did particularly well in Queensland, home to the party’s leader, multi-millionaire businessman Clive Palmer and where he is expected to secure a seat in the House of Representatives.
“It’s been great, what a fantastic result,’’ Dr Allen said.
“Everybody underestimated us and the Murdoch press had a huge attack on us (nationally), it was unrelenting and our policies didn’t get out there. I think if people actually knew our policies we would have romped in with many, many seats.’’
Dr Allen said he believed Mr Palmer would be “a tremendous asset to democracy in this country’’.
“This is exactly what we need: somebody with big ideas, not same-old, same-old,’’ Dr Allen said.
“I’m afraid our sitting politicians have really lacked ideas and it’s been pretty tedious and boring, so for Australia, the country has really won in that respect.
“Clive is not a wallflower, he’s not a shrinking violet, he has great views and he absolutely loves this country. He has put everything on the line to make Australia a better place and we need to respect and admire that.’’
Despite enjoying his political venture, it was back to normal on Monday for Dr Allen, an orthopaedic surgeon who has worked at major hospitals on the Tweed and Gold Coast.
“Right now my plan is to get on with my practice and look after my patients,’’ he said.
“If I can contribute to making Australia a better place then I will continue to do that.’’
