Two Queensland MPs join Palmer's party TWO Queensland MPs have signed on to mining billionaire Clive Palmer's new political party, promising it won't become a "cult" like some others. Gold Coast-based Alex Douglas and Brisbane-based Carl Judge told state parliament on Tuesday they would be the first to join Mr Palmer's United Australia Party (UAP). Dr Douglas is confident the new party has the intellectual horsepower and the economic firepower to overcome any challenges that come its way. He expects other MPs to defect from the Liberal National Party (LNP) and join the UAP. "Self-interest amongst politicians is a very powerful motivator for change ... and their biggest focus is being re-elected," Dr Douglas told AAP. The other thing is that there has been a muted response to the issue of asset sales. Clearly the current treasurer wants to sell assets and has almost earmarked the ones that the people he's associated with want to buy, and I see that as being against the public interest. Dr Douglas said the UAP would offer Australians a fresh political choice. This is not like Bob Katter's party, which is a cult party, and it's not like the (Premier) Campbell Newman party which is a cult as well. People don't want cults. Mr Judge said UAP policies would be progressively released over the coming weeks and months. "I am extremely proud to be among the first members of the United Australia Party, which I believe will become a mainstream federal party in all states and territories," he said. I am particularly heartened to be part of a new democratic movement dedicated to bringing people together. Both MPs are LNP defectors. Dr Douglas quit the party in November after accusing the premier of lying to parliament over why he was removed as chair of parliament's ethics committee. Mr Judge also bailed out late in November, after being banned from party room meetings for not pledging 100 per cent loyalty to Mr Newman. He said mass public service sackings had put many people in a state of "turmoil" and believed the government had not treated them with respect.