The $6m was my ‘wage’ to spend as I liked, says Clive Palmer

CLIVE Palmer yesterday rejected suggestions he had wrongly siphoned $6m worth of Chinese money to pump up his political interests.

Clive Palmer launches the Palmer United Party's candidates for the upcoming Victorian state election. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

PALMER United Party founder Clive Palmer yesterday rejected suggestions he had wrongly siph­oned $6 million worth of Chin­ese money to pump up his political interests.

Mr Palmer said that once the money had been paid to his private company it was his to spend, in the same way that salary earners spend their wages.

He also played down senator Jacqui Lambie’s ability to split the PUP in parliament over her demands for better pay for Australian Defence Force personnel.

Speaking in Melbourne at the launch of 21 PUP candidates to contest the Victorian election, Mr Palmer accused The Australian of falsely pursuing him over his finan­cial interests. He said he was within his rights to use cash from China’s state-owned international investment company to spend on what he wanted.

“The reality of it is that our company, Mineralogy, was paid for its services,’’ he said. “It was then Mineralogy’s money, just like Rupert (Murdoch) pays your wages. I’m sure you think it’s your money when you’ve got it.’’

Mr Palmer was commenting on a report in The Weekend Australian that detailed evidence suggesting Mr Palmer funnelled $6 million of Chinese money to the PUP and used $97,000 to pay a credit card bill.

It was reported that Mr Palmer drew a cheque for $6m on August 8 last year and directed it to the bank account of his party a month before the federal election.

The Chinese are accusing Mr Palmer of dishonesty and fraud.

Meanwhile, Senator Lambie has threatened to reject all government legislation unless the government increases the pay deal for serving men and women.

Mr Palmer said the PUP would withstand her moves. “Well, she can’t split the party, the party’s bigger than that,’’ he said.

Mr Palmer is aiming for his party to get the balance of power in the Victorian upper house at the November 29 poll. He attacked the Greens yesterday for their failure to exercise the power they once held in the parliament.

“Can anyone tell me what the Greens did other than draw their salary and talk in cliches?” he asked. “If we get the balance of power in Victoria we’ll deliver results for the community — you can mark my words on that.”