Clive Palmer’s loss could be green activists gain in awkward oversight
An embarrassing oversight by mining magnate and politician Clive Palmer has seen environmental activists swoop in.
QLD Politics
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD Politics. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Environmental activists have swooped in with a bid to purchase mining magnate Clive Palmer’s trade mark on Waratah Coal after it lapsed in an apparently embarrassing oversight.
Queensland Conservation Council moved to snap up the trade mark on Monday, it can be revealed, as part of a stunt protesting the coal giant.
Waratah Coal was recently revealed as seeking approval from Barcaldine council for a new coal-fired power station at Alpha, which was called in by the State Government for assessment in late December.
IP Australia records show the trade mark has been lapsed for more than five years, since January 22, 2017, due the renewal fees not being paid.
Mr Palmer is currently running for the Senate and has his political party contesting the next federal election, while also contesting criminal fraud charges related to misusing his position as company director to direct money towards his 2013 election campaign.
A final outcome regarding the trademark is still pending, with records showing the QCC application is now waiting examination by IP Australia in a process to take up to four months.
QCC director David Copeman said the group discovered the trademark had lapsed while investigating the proposed Alpha power station.
He said QCC wanted to use the trademark in terms of environmental education, but were seeking to crowd source ideas on how to use it best.
“We’re keen to use it to educate the community around what the future options are for clean, green economic activity,” he said.
“We want to hear from anyone with ideas on how to use the Waratah Coal trademark to promote its use for future ideas.”
QCC is seeking to register the trademark under the classes of “education, providing of training, entertainment” as well as “treatment of materials, recycling of waste and trash, air purification”.
The original trademark was registered under a range of classes including for use in construction services, mining extraction and oil and gas drilling.
Mr Palmer and a spokesman were contacted for comment but did not respond prior to deadline.
More Coverage
Bolt: Politicians cannot let Thorpe get away with breaking her oath
It’s time for the politicians wittering their dismay and issuing futile calls for Lidia Thorpe to resign from parliament to get serious about kicking the race-baiting Senator out.
MPs unleash on ‘dodgy Dave’ over funding
Armed with two long lists full of what they say will be cut if the LNP is elected, two Labor MPs have called out “dodgy” David Crisafulli, saying he hasn’t given enough details on how the party will fund their promises.