It's easy to spot Ganesh Loke in a crowd thanks to his signature large-framed reflective sunglasses and big smile.
The Trumpet of Patriots candidate says it is important for a political candidate to have branding.
"It's good to be noticed out here," he told SBS News at a political forum hosted by the broadcaster in the western Sydney suburb of Parramatta on Thursday.
Loke is contesting the federal electorate of Parramatta, which is held by Labor MP Andrew Charlton.
He first ran with the group in 2013, led by mining magnate Clive Palmer, when it was called the United Australia Party.
Over a decade and multiple election defeats later, Loke said there's no other party he would rather be a candidate for.
"I'm always faithful and I'm always loyal to United Australia, which is now the Trumpet of Patriots," he said.
At the last election, one in three Australians voted for minor parties and independents. It's a trend he hopes continues in 2025.
"That will continue because people are fed up with the major parties. They want alternatives," he said.
What does the Trumpet of Patriots stand for?
According to its website, the party's key policies are:
- Launch an investigation into wasteful government spending;
- Cut immigration;
- Allow Australians to use their superannuation to buy housing and cap interest rates at 3 per cent;
- Repeal the ban on nuclear energy;
- Exit the Paris Agreement on climate change action;
- Get the 'woke agenda' out of schools;
- High-speed rail;
- Withdraw from global organisations such as the World Health Organization and United Nations; and
- Place a 15 per cent licence fee on all iron ore exports from Australia.
Trumpet of Patriots chairman Clive Palmer at the party's campaign launch on 19 April. Source: AAP / Danny Casey
Controversy over adverts
In recent weeks the party has also caused controversy over its election advertisements, spending on which Palmer says has already reached $60 million.
One of the party's YouTube videos, which questions climate change and uses footage from a documentary, has been described as misleading because the footage was taken more than 20 years ago.
A newspaper advert stating "there are only two genders — male and female" was also removed from the online edition of the Newcastle Herald after causing controversy.
Online ads stating "We don't need to be welcomed to our own country" were also run on the same day that was reported at an Anzac Day service in Melbourne.
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Clive Palmer 'wants to help people'
The controversies have not impacted Loke's support for Palmer and his party.
"There are a lot of misconceptions. I would like to say Clive is a really good person. I have met Clive," Loke said of the party's leader.
"He could just sit there in his mansion and do nothing, but he wants to help people."
Loke also explained that while the party name references US President Donald Trump, the Trumpet of Patriots does not take his policies.
If you look at our policies, they're different. But if Clive likes Trump, there's nothing wrong with it. [Trump's] trying to mediate to stop the war in Ukraine and Russia.
"So there are some good things that Trump is doing."
He added that he personally was not totally against or for Trump's policy decisions.
According to the party's website, the cost of living is high as Australians are "being ripped off" by the political system.
"In the USA, government waste and corruption is finally being exposed. For too long, Australians have suffered from a Labor and Liberal duopoly of power supported by the Greens and now the Teals," it reads.
Palmer says he is not worried about being compared to Trump and vowed the party would "make Australia great again", referencing Trump's campaign slogan.
He has also defended the party's candidate in the seat of Dickson (currently held by Opposition leader Peter Dutton), who is on bail for stalking and weapons charges.
"We believe that everybody's innocent until they're proven guilty," he said.
At the Trumpet of Patriots launch earlier this year, Palmer said the major parties were too focused on arguing over tax cuts and ignoring homeless people and those going hungry.
He has pledged $90 million to campaigning and is fielding more than a hundred candidates across the Senate and House of Representatives.
'I would come to your house ... to help'
Loke came to Australia from India in 1999, saying he had only $500 to his name and limited support.
"Twenty years back, I came to Australia with nothing. If I'm elected, I would like to be more accessible than the current MP," he said.
"I would come to your house if you have any issue to help you. That's what I want to change."
Since emigrating, Loke has started an IT training business and manages a film production company.
As a candidate, his priorities are to bring down the cost of living, improve access to healthcare and reduce immigration.
He also values entrepreneurship, which is a trait he admires in Palmer.
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