Mining magnate Clive Palmer has confirmed his new political party will be standing candidates in the ACT.
The announcement of the United Australia Party follows months of hints by the billionaire, who said the party planned to run candidates in 150 seats throughout the country, including within the ACT.
''We're running all federal seats and in the Senate,'' he said on Friday.
He said he was expecting a strong response from ACT voters, whom, he said, would be offered ''honesty'' and ''integrity''.
''I'm only doing this because tens of thousands of people across Australia have asked me to do something.''
He said he was not concerned about potentially splitting the vote with Katter's Australian Party, an opinion shared by KAP ACT Senate candidate Steven Bailey.
''Bring it on,'' Mr Palmer said. ''And good luck, because you'll need it … I think the people of Canberra deserve a good fight.''
Mr Bailey said his party had a lot to offer Canberran voters, including the possibility of light rail.
KAP national director Aidan McLindon also welcomed the move, saying it would help break the political duopoly of Labor and Liberal.
An application for the registration of the United Australia Party, originally founded in 1931 and operated until 1945, has been submitted in Queensland.
Speaking at a press conference in Brisbane, Mr Palmer also confirmed he will be running for the seat of Fairfax on the Sunshine Coast.
''I'm standing to be the next prime minister of Australia,'' he said. ''I have no personal interest … I'm seeking it for the Australian people.''
The party's website, unitedaustralia.org, will go live on Saturday and policy announcements are expected within a fortnight.
with AAP
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