Clive Palmer has always been a blowhard

AS he continues to dodge responsibility for the failings of Queensland Nickel one thing becomes inherently clear about Clive Palmer, writes Peta Credlin.

CLIVE Palmer blew into Canberra in 2013 after winning the Federal seat of Fairfax accompanied by a clutch of senators, including Jacqui Lambie.

A man of stunts who liked to boast of his wealth, there was a private plane, a vintage car and a lot of hot air too. Some in Canberra thought he was a clever businessman, indeed Malcolm Turnbull and Clive Palmer were known to be friendly and caught up for dinner. Others, the press gallery in particular, loved the colour and movement of this big noise from Queensland. Me, I just thought he was an underwhelming blowhard.

Palmer didn’t last long in politics and by the time he quit, most of his colleagues had left his team, indeed the Palmer United Party was deregistered in May last year. But Clive Palmer’s business affairs are still making news.

He has denied recent reports that he bought six luxury cars at a Mercedes Benz dealership, and it has been reported he is in the process of buying a luxury mansion on Brisbane’s waterfront.

Despite the legal battle following Queensland Nickel around, Palmer continues to spend big. (Pic: Samantha Manchee)

Now if he’s doing well and has the cash to spend, good luck to him. But I’m sure many in Townsville would have questions about this spending spree and that’s because Clive Palmer is still embroiled in a long running legal stoush in the Queensland courts following the 2016 collapse of his Townsville-based company, Queensland Nickel. When the business went under, 800 local workers lost their jobs, the whole region was hit hard and millions were owed to creditors. To ensure the workers got their entitlements, taxpayers coughed up $70 million dollars under a Federal Government scheme to cover their redundancy payments.

Since then, the liquidators of Queensland Nickel have been trying to freeze Clive Palmer’s assets and claw back the $300 million owed to creditors, as well as the $70 million owed to the taxpayer.

In the Queensland courts, liquidators allege Mr Palmer breached his duties as a director of Queensland Nickel and should pay $204 million in compensation. They’re also demanding back $170 million plus allegedly siphoned from Queensland Nickel to prop up the rest of his corporate empire. Mr Palmer of course, is contesting these allegations.

Let’s hope Malcolm Turnbull is prepared to use the courts against his old mate to ensure the taxpayers get what’s owed to them, and workers get some justice.

The PM just better hurry up, before Palmer manages to spend what’s left.

Originally published as Clive Palmer has always been a blowhard