Was Clive Palmer selling the press a PUP?

PUP leader Clive Palmer said it was coincidental his refinery announcement was made two days before the federal poll.

‘I’m not in politics. I’m in business,’ says Clive Palmer. Picture: Tara Croser.

Clive Palmer would have to find at least $100 million in maintenance money, convince suppliers owed millions to trust him again and renegotiate fresh access to berths at Townsville’s port to reopen his nickel refinery.

The Palmer United Party leader yesterday announced — for the third time in three months — he would reopen his Yabulu refinery in Townsville, which shut in March after his ­operating company collapsed.

Nearly 800 workers lost jobs.

Mr Palmer said it was coincidental the announcement was made two days before the federal election, at which his party is running a refinery manager in the Townsville seat of Herbert.

“It’s purely a coincidence,” he said, standing in front of large PUP banners and alongside his two Queensland Senate candidates. “It’s not of concern to me because I’m not in politics. I’m in business.”

The resources tycoon insisted he had the financial capacity to reopen the refinery, despite crying poor to the Queensland government for bailout cash in December and plunging Queensland Nickel Pty Ltd into voluntary administration in January. He said he had re-­employed 50 staff.

Government and company sources say Mr Palmer would need to spend at least $100m in maintenance to get the refinery running again. He would also need to renegotiate supply contracts with major companies, including rail giant Aurizon, owed $80m after the QN collapse.

The Australian understands Mr Palmer has not contacted any major suppliers about his intention to reopen the refinery.