Clive Palmer backflips on wild claim to preference the Greens

Clive Palmer has walked back on a surprising election promise, insisting reports on his comments made on live TV were “fake news”.

Clive Palmer has sensationally backflipped on claims he would preference the Greens at the upcoming election, insisting it was “fake news”.

The mining magnate just last week told the National Press Club he would be inclined to put the Greens ahead of Labor and the Coalition, citing the mountain of debt brought on by the government.

But just days later, Mr Palmer has lashed out at the media taking a “tongue in cheek remark” out of context.

“The comment has been taken wildly out of context and twisted by some media outlets,” Mr Palmer said in a statement.

“It is nothing more than fake news.

“The notion that United Australia Party would preference the Greens is as ludicrous as them giving preferences to us.”

Speaking with the Today Show on Monday morning, Mr Palmer declared the major parties would be at the bottom of the United Australia Party’s ticket.

Mr Palmer backflipped on his claims on Monday. Picture: Gary Ramage

“We won’t be giving any preferences at all,” he told the Today Show on Monday morning.

“You only have to number six boxes, and we will give none to the Liberal, Labor and Greens because they are responsible for the mess that Australia is in.

“The Liberal, Labor and Greens will all be at the bottom of our ticket.”

He accused the major parties of burying Australia under a trillion dollars of debt and claimed the UAP was alone in discussing the mortgage crunch and homelessness.

Australians will go to the polls on May 21, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison looking to win a second term in office.

Mr Palmer says the UAP hasn’t spent enough on advertising. Picture: Gary Ramage

Mr Palmer splashed $83m for advertising during the 2019 poll, in a campaign he claimed was designed to stop Bill Shorten becoming prime minister.

The UAP secured 3.4 per cent of the vote but failed to win a seat in parliament.

When asked how much he had spent so far, Mr Palmer responded “not enough”.

“I don't know how much we have spent, Karl, but I would say it is not enough and we have to do better in the next four weeks,” he said on Monday.

Previously, the former MP said he racked up a $40m advertising bill so far and expects to spend $70m by the end of the campaign.

Originally published as Clive Palmer backflips on wild claim to preference the Greens