Embattled mining magnate Clive Palmer says he’s been personally attacked over problems at Queensland Nickel

EMBATTLED mining magnate Clive Palmer wants everyone to stop picking on him and for the Government to help him out, because the banks won’t.

Clive Palmer arrives at the Queensland Goverment executive building. Pic Peter Wallis

EMBATTLED mining magnate Clive Palmer wants everyone to stop picking on him and for the Government to help him out because the banks won’t.

In a two-page statement issued today, Mr Palmer said he was being “personally attacked” and despite his own lawyers on Monday saying Queensland Nickel was at risk of shutting down he claimed it was in a strong position.

He went on to demand a meeting with the Premier, while accusing her of lacking compassion.

“Australians need to stop knocking and politicians need to stop playing politics,” Mr Palmer said.

“Far too many politicians are only interested in themselves and misleading media with political propaganda rather than solving real issues.”

Mr Palmer said Queensland Nickel was in a strong position, had $1.95 billion in unencumbered assets, but said it was experiencing “a small deficit in cash flow” due to the low nickel price.

He said QN had approached the big four banks for cash but was denied a $35 million overdraft.

“I have been informed Queensland Nickel was told that in the current investment environment they would not lend to a resources company,” Mr Palmer said.

“Banks are not supporting the resources sector, which is in a downturn cycle, as a matter of policy and this is a major problem.

“This should therefore be a concern for both the Queensland and Federal Governments.”

He said banks told him if the Government acted as guarantor for QN, essentially taking the risk for the loan, the refinery would get the cash it wanted.

“Not a single job needs to be lost at the Townsville refinery if fairness and common sense prevails,” Mr Palmer said.

Clive Palmer arrives at the Queensland Goverment executive building for a meeting with Treasurer Curtis Pitt on Tuesday. PIC: Peter Wallis

He went on to accuse Treasurer Curtis Pitt of refusing to help “the largest employer in North Queensland”, and demanding a personal meeting with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for urgent discussions.

This is despite he and QN director Clive Mensink meeting with Mr Pitt for talks on Tuesday.

“I have personally sourced meetings with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to help resolve this issue but she is continually not available or not interested,” he said.

“It’s disappointing that the Premier and Treasurer Curtis Pitt do not seem concerned about the people of North Queensland, they obviously lack leadership and compassion.”

He insisted QN was not asking for money, just for the State Government to act as guarantor which he said was “risk free”.