Palmer agrees to pay QNI workers’ entitlements

Clive Palmer has agreed to pay Queensland Nickel workers unpaid entitlements about three years after QNI collapsed.

CONTROVERSIAL businessman Clive Palmer has agreed to pay Queensland Nickel workers unpaid entitlements about three years after QNI collapsed.

In Townsville today, Mr Palmer confirmed he would pay the entitlements “despite neither he nor his companies being responsible for dismissals”.

“It was the administrators of Queensland Nickel who, despite the direction of joint venture partners, refused to transfer employees and assets to a new operator, which would have allowed workers to keep their jobs,” he said.

Clive Palmer's letter confirmeing he will pay Queensland Nickel staff their entitlements.

Mr Palmer said considering the floods and cyclones that had impacted North Queensland he had decided to pay any outstanding workers’ entitlements.

“QNI Resources will be publishing notices in the Townsville media explaining how workers can forward claims so they can be contacted,” he said.

Queensland Nickel worker Bruce Walker, who has remained working at the refinery while it has been in caretaker mode, said Mr Palmer’s announcement was positive news.

“It’s what we’ve all hoped for, I think it will help the Townsville community immensely,” he said.

“If we can get the port open, if we can get our nickel in and out it will be a good move for Townsville.”

Mr Walker said the staff at QN had “no problems” with Mr Palmer.

Mr Palmer’s political party – the United Australia Party – is contesting a number of seats in the upcoming federal election.

It has not revealed who will be running for the seat of Herbert yet.

Originally published as Palmer agrees to pay QNI workers’ entitlements