WA Premier says ‘selfish’ Clive Palmer is not welcome in WA

The WA Premier says billionaire Clive Palmer is “selfish” and issued a warning to him about one thing amid their border spat in the High Court.

Premier Mark McGowan says Clive Palmer is ‘selfish’. Picture: Mark Cranitch

Premier Mark McGowan has warned billionaire Clive Palmer against coming to WA when the state relaxes its border rules, regardless of the outcome of the mining magnate’s High Court challenge.

The court battle is centred on the constitutionality of the state government’s decision to shut the border during the coronavirus pandemic and dates back to May when Mr Palmer’s exemption application was rejected.

“Clive Palmer is trying to damage WA’s health measures in the High Court,” Mr McGowan told reporters on Tuesday.

“The measurers we put in place over the past eight months have worked, they’ve been effective. The border has been an important part of that.

“Mr Palmer’s motivations, he will have to describe.

“But clearly, if he is successful, the health of West Australians is damaged, our opportunity to protect our citizens is damaged and Mr Palmer will have to answer for that.”

Mr McGowan reiterated he was “very confident” in the state’s position.

Clive Palmer’s border dispute with WA dates back to May. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Referring to the long list of legal battles Mr Palmer has brought against WA and the Premier individually, Mr McGowan described the Queenslander as “very, very, very selfish.”

WA will this month move to a “controlled interstate border”, which means people from Victoria and NSW will have to quarantine for two weeks but people from other jurisdictions will be able to travel more freely.

The Premier said his advice to Mr Palmer was that he should not come to WA.

“He’s not welcome. I doubt many people in WA would welcome his presence,” Mr McGowan said.

“If he wanted to apply for a pass it’s up to him, but my advice would be don’t come because I think he will get a pretty negative reception if he does.”

Last month, Mr Palmer said the WA Premier was not interested in reuniting Australia.

“I have always maintained that Mark McGowan closed the borders for economic reasons. He wants to separate WA from the rest of Australia,’’ Mr Palmer said.

Mr Palmer has been contacted for comment.