Palmer delays Queensland Nickel worker pay until after poll

Clive Palmer’s promised redundancy payments have been put off until after the election.

Clive Palmer hasn’t paid entitlements to former employees who lost their jobs three years ago. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Senate candidate Clive Palmer’s promised redundancy payments to sacked Queensland Nickel workers have been put off by the billionaire businessman until after the election.

The United Australia Party leader this week made the surprise announcement he would pay out the $7 million in entitlements still owed to employees of his Townsville-based nickel and cobalt refinery, which went into liquidation in 2016, costing nearly 800 people their jobs.

Days after the May 18 federal election was called, Mr Palmer — who abandoned his bid to run in the Townsville-based seat of ­Herbert after polling showed he had almost no chance of winning — announced he would cover the outstanding debts to workers.

Mr Palmer is instead going to run for a Senate seat, with former rugby league player Greg Dowling contesting Herbert for UAP.

Workers have now learned through a post on the QNI website that their long-awaited payments will not be made until after the election.

The alert, under the heading “Ex-Queensland Nickel Workers Entitlements”, promised that payments would be made, but not until at least May 21.

“Clive Palmer to pay ex-Queensland Nickel Workers their outstanding entitlements, that is the balance between their gross entitlements and FEG (Fair Entitlements Guarantee) payment received,” the website said.

“A form will be available on this website by 7 May, 2019.

“Payments will commence 14 days later and will continue until all claims are paid.

“This form needs to be completed and requested documents uploaded for individual’s payment to be processed.”

Stephen Parbery, the special purpose liquidator appointed by the government to recoup ­taxpayer money, said last week it was disappointing that it had taken Mr Palmer more than three years to pay the outstanding ­entitlements.

In a statement on Monday, the liquidator said: “Given the period of time the entitlements have been outstanding, this payment should be made immediately.”

Herbert MP Cathy O’Toole, who holds the seat with the slim margin of 37 votes, told The Weekend Australian the payments should be made before the election so that workers’ entitlements were not politicised.

“It has been three years since these workers lost their jobs and they should have the confidence and security that they deserve,” Ms O’Toole said.

“Workers entitlements should be above politics and should not have to wait until after the ­election.”

A spokesman for Mr Palmer said the payment process was ­determined by outside factors and the entitlements were not being politicised.