Clive Palmer approaches Craig Kelly, George Christensen to join his party
Mining magnate Clive Palmer has tried to woo Federal MPs Craig Kelly and George Christensen to run under a "rebadged United Australia" party at the next election.
Former Liberal Craig Kelly confirmed he'd spoken to Mr Palmer, but said he was yet to make up his mind.
"All the minor parties have spoken to me," Mr Kelly said.
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Mining magnate Clive Palmer is approaching politicians to join his United Australia Party. Getty
"But I like the idea of running as an independent," he told 9News.
Mr Palmer is holding an "invite only" event in Canberra next month.
Invitees have been asked to "join Clive Palmer, Chairman of Palmer's United Australia Party, for lunch and a major announcement regarding the upcoming federal election".
Mr Christensen has announced he will retire from politics at the next election.
A spokesperson for Mr Christensen was not confident about the possible tilt for UAP.
"It's ruled out," the spokesperson said.
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Both George Christensen and Craig Kelly have been approached to run for the United Australia Party. Alex Ellinghausen
Nationals Leader Barnaby Joyce has also tried to lure him away from retirement.
Mr Palmer did not respond to requests for comment.
Mr Kelly has announced plans to recontest the next election, having quit the Liberal Party after a falling out with Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
It followed a public feud in the Parliament House Press Gallery with senior Labor MP Tanya Plibersek, and a series of social media posts regarding COVID-19.
Mr Kelly had been widely criticised and accused of spreading misinformation about online.
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George Christensen is leaving Parliament at the end of this term, and Craig Kelly quit the Liberal Party earlier this year. Alex Ellinghausen
It is a claim he denies, despite Facebook shutting down his page, and Twitter restricting his access this week after numerous controversial posts about so-called COVID treatments, and vaccines.
In January Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said said the politician needed to "decide what is the appropriate thing for a member of Parliament to be commenting on".
"I'm not going to talk further about this because it just gives prominence to views that I just don't agree with and are not scientifically based," Professor Kelly said.
READ MORE: Facebook removes Craig Kelly's page over COVID-19 misinformation
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