LNP chief urges Clive Palmer to drop politics

QUEENSLAND Liberal National Party boss Bruce McIver, wants Clive Palmer to abandon plans to run for federal parliament.

CLIVE Palmer's best friend in politics, Queensland Liberal National Party boss Bruce McIver, wants the flamboyant billionaire to abandon plans to run for federal parliament.

Mr McIver chairs a Palmer company and is reputed to be one of the few people to whom the outspoken Queenslander listens.

His advice to Mr Palmer that he already had "too much on his plate" will be welcomed by senior figures in the federal Coalition who are dismayed by the disruption and distraction of the "Clive for Canberra" push.

Mr McIver stressed that Mr Palmer was his "own man" and "deadly serious" about seeking LNP preselection for a federal seat. He is a life member of the LNP and has worked for the party in the past, including as its spokesman when Joh Bjelke-Petersen was in power in the 1980s.

Mr Palmer, 58, originally said he wanted to run against Wayne Swan in the Treasurer's marginal seat of Lilley, but backed out last month before the LNP closed nominations.

He then hinted at a tilt at Bob Katter's north Queensland seat of Kennedy, despite its 18.6 per cent margin. Mr Palmer is now considering standing for preselection in Liberal-held Fairfax on the Sunshine Coast, due to be vacated at the next election by Alex Somlyay.

Interviewed for a profile on Mr Palmer in The Weekend Australian Magazine, published tomorrow, Mr McIver said he had warned his friend off entering politics. "I think he's got enough on his plate. He's got a huge business . . . he's got huge interests."

The guessing game, however, is set to continue as the LNP will not open nominations in Fairfax until next month for a preselection in early November.

As a friend, Mr McIver said he would be urging Mr Palmer to reconsider, but as LNP president "I will defend his right to run".

Asked about Tony Abbott's likely attitude, Mr McIver said the Opposition Leader would "probably rather not" have Mr Palmer secure LNP preselection and join his team. The two men quarrelled heatedly in June after Mr Abbott demanded that Mr Palmer drop a motion at the Liberal Party Federal Council to adopt a Queensland policy and ban paid lobbyists from office-bearer positions.

"But Tony's got to recognise that any of our members are entitled to put our names forward," Mr McIver said.