Bold promises, scripted optimism and live musicians couldn't conceal the absence of media questions at the Senate campaign launch for Clive Palmer's political party.
Mr Palmer was joined by candidates from Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania for the 15-minute event at his Mineralogy office in Brisbane on Saturday.
The businessman-turned-politician is not recontesting his lower house seat of Fairfax, won in 2013, but remains the head of the Palmer United Party (PUP).
Its platforms include ending entitlements for retired politicians and setting up a federal anti-corruption commission.
As the curtains close on his own short but colourful political career, Mr Palmer insisted PUP will seize back the balance of power in the Senate on July 2.
"It was only through treachery and disregard for our democratic principles that the Labor-Liberal alliance was able to undermine us," he said.
The heavily-scripted launch, punctuated by a live folk band, was another chance for him to list the party's achievements.
That list appears to be growing.
PUP claims to have ended the mining and carbon tax, protected the schoolkids' bonus, stopped the deregulation of universities and warded off the GP co-payment.
Queensland Senate candidate and former Blue Star Line employee James McDonald also claimed PUP removed Campbell Newman as Queensland premier, stopped the sale of Queensland assets and got rid of Tony Abbott as prime minister.
There is little doubt Mr Palmer's party impacted Queensland and federal politics, but it's also impossible to ignore the number of PUP figures who have cut ties.
Glenn Lazarus, Jacqui Lambie and former Queensland leader Alex Douglas - who Mr Palmer once labelled as "a two-faced bastard" - are among them, the latter citing nepotism within the party.
PUP's only remaining senator, WA's Dio Wang, was introduced as "the real achiever of the Senate".
"Help us to help you by voting one for Palmer United in the Senate," he said, as Mr Palmer mouthed the words behind him.
Mr Palmer said the Liberal and Labor parties sought to destroy PUP and in doing so had challenged "the very foundations of Australian democracy".
"Palmer United stands, as the last sentry at the gate, defending you and your democracy and keeping the Liberal-Labor alliance in check," he said.
His team walked out after each member had read from the script and did not return to field questions from the media.
The party's campaign has been overshadowed by trouble with Mr Palmer's business interests, including the loss of about 800 jobs from his Townsville nickel refinery and subsequent court cases.
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