United Australia’s sole parliamentarian, Senator Ralph Babet, has announced he will not seek re-election and will retire after a single term.
Senator Babet was the only person to make it into parliament after the party led by billionaire Clive Palmer spent over $120 million on a campaign at the 2022 election. At the next election Palmer created a new party Trumpet of Patriots, which failed to secure any seats. He recently announced he’d be returning to the United Australia brand.
Senator Babet told The Sydney Morning Herald he planned to return to his previous career in real estate.
“I’m walking away, I have failed,” he said. Senator Babet said he had entered parliament with the goal of protecting free speech.
“I have failed in that task,” Babet said, “I don’t want to stick around in politics beyond my one term.”
“I’m walking away, I’m going back to the private sector. I’ll leave them to ruin the country.”
“The Australian public has proven to me that they don’t value freedom. They don’t value limited government.” he said.
During his time in parliament the senator has often rallied against LGBTIQA+ communities across Australia. On one occasion he took to social media saying his mission was to eradicate the LGBTIQA+ agenda.
“I will eradicate the radical elements within the LGBTQIA2S+ agenda and relegate it to the dustbin of history.” he wrote.
In 2024 he posted a string of posts to social media that were described as being filled with racist, homophobic. transphobic, and demeaning comments. He was later ordered to undertake sensitivity training by parliament’s standards body, but refused to attend.
In 2025 the Victorian senator also hit out at the Swan Pride Festival which brings together the queer community and the multicultural communities in Perth.
During his time in parliament Senator Babet also co-sponsored a bill to ban gender-affirming care for young people experiencing gender dysphoria. Early in his parliamentary stint the senator went on a rant claiming there were only two genders and the sky was only ever coloured blue.
In recent days the senator has continued to publish his extreme opinions on social media including criticising Ireland’s Defence Minister Helen McEntree for attending a Pride parade, and arguing that a woman should never hold a position in the defence realm.
“Woman [sic] should not be ministers of defence. End of story. They are biologically incapable. Facts don’t care about your feelings.” Senator Babet said.
The senator also described people who are supportive of transgender woman Vivian Wilson, whose father is billionaire Elon Musk, as “woketards” and “child molesters”.
Senator Babet’s time in the senate will end of 30th June 2028. Senator’s serve six year terms if they represent an Australian state, while Senators from the ACT and the Northern Territory have terms that align with the House of representatives cycle.
Do you need support?
If you are struggling with anxiety or depression, support and counselling are available from:
QLife: 1800 184 527 / qlife.org.au
QLife are a counselling and referral service for LGBTQIA+ people.
DISCHARGED: info@discharged.asn.au / discharged.asn.au
Discharged is a trans-led support service with peer support groups for trans and gender diverse folks.
Beyondblue: 1300 22 4636 / www.beyondblue.org.au
Lifeline: 13 11 14 / lifeline.org.au
