Clive Palmer defies his policy on lobbyists

CLIVE Palmer's war on political lobbyists as set out in his formal party policy seems at odds with his conduct as a businessman.

Clive Palmer

CLIVE Palmer's war on political lobbyists as set out in his formal party policy seems at odds with his conduct as a businessman who spends hundreds of thousands of dollars a year on political lobbyists.

Documents obtained by The Weekend Australian yesterday show that Mr Palmer, who is campaigning to be prime minister, is heavily reliant on lobbyists, particularly former Queensland deputy premier Jim Elder, to try to achieve outcomes from bureaucrats and ministers. They list numerous meetings, telephone calls and other contacts, including lunch with members of the former Bligh government, by Mr Elder on behalf of Mr Palmer and his project, Waratah Coal in the Galilee Basin.

In his formal policy, on the Palmer United Party website, Mr Palmer states "tougher laws (are) needed to prevent former ministers and government staffers becoming lobbyists".

The policy, quoting Mr Palmer, says: "It is immoral and totally against the notion of a fair go for all Australians if former ministers can use their political contacts and inside knowledge to act as a conduit between government and business for those with a capacity to pay.

"Former political lobbyists have no place in politics and former politicians fresh out of office have no place as lobbyists."

He pledges his Palmer United Party "would introduce legislation requiring former politicians or senior government officials to have left public office for 10 years before they could work as lobbyists".

Mr Elder, executive chairman of lobbying firm Enhance Group and a lobbyist for Mr Palmer and Waratah Coal, said last night: "Clive's position is that lobbyists shouldn't hold a party executive position. I have not been a member of a political party for 13 years."

Mr Palmer's policy document, however, is directed at all lobbyists. It does not differentiate or single out lobbyists, such as his enemy, Liberal Party heavyweight Santo Santoro, who hold party executive positions.

In a "record of contact with lobbyists", an internal document from the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, lobbying efforts for Mr Palmer are set out in detail.

The entries include: "Jim Elder advised that he and Clive Palmer of Waratah Coal are requesting to meet with the minister next week about exploration permit renewal status for China First project."

Another entry described a telephone conversation with Mr Elder on behalf of Mr Palmer, following a letter the tycoon had sent to the department's head "regarding status of exploration permits for the China First coal project".

Mr Palmer has also relied on Howard government minister Larry Anthony as a lobbyist.

Despite his written policy position being unequivocally opposed to the widespread practice of politicians retiring to become lobbyists, Mr Palmer told The Weekend Australian his concern was more specific.

He said it was wrong that the Liberal Party had members in senior executive positions who "take a lot of money as lobbyists - and they can help change policy". He said he had never paid a lobbyist who held a party executive role.

The Waratah Coal project, which would have required up to $8 billion from Chinese lenders and joint-venture partners to develop, has faltered.