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LNP president Dave Hutchinson denies conflict of interest in working for Clive Palmer

LNP President Dave Hutchinson has denied any conflict of interest in working for political rival Clive Palmer – but the revelation has angered some within the party.

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LNP President David Hutchinson has denied any conflict of interest in working for political rival Clive Palmer – but says he will resign if the billionaire businessman fields candidates at the upcoming state election.

The promise follows revelations Mr Hutchinson took a part-time contract working at Mr Palmer’s Coolum Resort – a move that has raised accusations of “blurred lines” and angered some LNP members.

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The contract began just months after the LNP secured a preference deal with Mr Palmer’s United Australia Party at last year’s federal election.

LNP President David Hutchinson at an LNP conference in 2019. Brisbane AAP Image/Richard Gosling
LNP President David Hutchinson at an LNP conference in 2019. Brisbane AAP Image/Richard Gosling

Mr Hutchinson told The Courier-Mail he would not continue working for Mr Palmer if the UAP ran candidates in the October state poll after fielding questions on whether he had a potential conflict of interest.

“I have always taken the role of party president seriously and would never do anything to damage the party’s electoral chances,” he said.

“Whilst I acknowledge that Clive Palmer helped the Coalition keep Bill Shorten out of the lodge, I am not aware of any plans to register UAP in Queensland.”

But Mr Palmer has been quietly continuing to work on his political outfit behind the scenes, despite failing to win a seat in May.

In November he registered a new business name – Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party – then lodged an application with the Australian Electoral Commission to change his party’s name to the same earlier this month.

A spokesman for Mr Palmer left the door open for a state electoral tilt, saying no announcement had been made at this stage.

Clive Palmer has been quietly continuing to work on his political outfit behind the scenes, despite failing to win a seat in May.
Clive Palmer has been quietly continuing to work on his political outfit behind the scenes, despite failing to win a seat in May.

LNP Opposition leader Deb Frecklington defended Mr Hutchinson’s employment, but admitted she sought assurances from him.

“Everyone is entitled to earn a living and have a job,” she said.

“I have asked the party president to ensure he separates his role as party president from his work on the Coolum Resort. He assures me he will separate any issues.”

She later issued another statement saying Mr Hutchinson had advised he would quit his employment if Mr Palmer ran candidates.

But party insiders worried Mr Hutchinson’s work was a bad look, especially after Mr Palmer’s efforts to tear down the Newman Government.

LNP Opposition leader Deb Frecklington defended Mr Hutchinson’s employment. Picture: Tara Croser
LNP Opposition leader Deb Frecklington defended Mr Hutchinson’s employment. Picture: Tara Croser

One said it gave Labor ammunition to link the LNP to Mr Palmer’s unpopular decisions, including the way he sacked Queensland Nickel workers in Townsville.

Seizing on the news, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told a press conference the LNP and Mr Palmer were “closely embedded together”, which would make for a tough election campaign.

“I think it’s very blurry between business and politics when it comes now to the LNP and Clive Palmer,” she said.

Former LNP president Bruce McIver, a long-time friend of Mr Palmer, quit as director of companies established by Mr Palmer in 2013 in the lead up to the federal campaign in which UAP was contesting seats.

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It has previously been revealed Mr Hutchinson met with former United Australia Party candidate Greg Dowling in Townsville earlier this month.

Mr Dowling, who ran for Clive Palmer’s political outfit in Herbert at the federal election last year, is currently running for mayor in Townsville as an independent ahead of the March 28 poll.

Mr Hutchinson yesterday told The Courier-Mail he had spoken to Mr Dowling once since they met this month and said the mayoral candidate “knows he can call me anytime he wants”.

“No LNP resources have or will be made available to Greg’s campaign given he is running as an independent,” he said.

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/lnp-president-dave-hutchinson-denies-conflict-of-interest-in-working-for-clive-palmer/news-story/c3b56e0259239ad5e36de4ee5e68ef12