Newman calls Palmer on claims of ministerial corruption

CLIVE Palmer claims to be in possession of evidence that "illegal payments" are being made to "corrupt" ministers of Queensland's government.

Businessman Clive Palmer has been told by the Newman government to put up or shut up. Picture: Jamie Hanson

CLIVE Palmer claims to be in possession of evidence that "illegal payments" are being made to "corrupt" ministers of Queensland's Newman government.

The assertions have baffled Liberal National Party ministers and Premier Campbell Newman, whose government is being targeted by Mr Palmer after refusing to yield to the tycoon's demands to help his companies develop coal reserves.

The government called on Mr Palmer to: "Put up or shut up."

"Mr Palmer has been coming up with wild conspiracy theories and making unsubstantiated allegations against the Queensland government for more than a year, and has always failed to back up his claims," a spokesman said.

"If Mr Palmer does have evidence of illegal activity, as he claims, he should do the right thing and immediately provide it to the relevant authorities. Put up or shut up."

It is understood that Mr Palmer has provided neither evidence nor a complaint to the Crime and Misconduct Commission or to police.

In comments transcribed but not broadcast by ABC TV's Australian Story, Mr Palmer said his "evidence" would be shown before the next state election, due in 18 months. "But it is true that there are corrupt ministers in the Newman government," he said.

"It is true that we've got the evidence of that, which will come out before the next state election.

"It is true that there is (sic) illegal payments being made, that there are favours being done which are not in the best interest of Queensland, that we've got documentary evidence of that."

Under Section 133 of the Criminal Code of Queensland it is an indictable offence, carrying a penalty of up to three years' jail, to withhold evidence of a criminal act in exchange for a benefit.

In response to questions from The Australian yesterday, Mr Palmer, who has previously made false claims about his earnings, academic qualifications, business record, legal success and wealth, did not repeat his assertions that Newman government ministers were receiving illegal payments.

Asked if he was withholding evidence of a serious crime, the leader of the Palmer United Party, which has won the balance of power in the federal parliament with three Senate seats, replied: "Wait to the state election."

Mr Palmer -- whose run for the Sunshine Coast seat of Fairfax is subject to a recount -- has pledged to run candidates in the state election in a bid to destroy the Newman government, which was previously a major beneficiary of his donations.

The relationship fell apart after Mr Palmer's Galilee Basin coalmining aspirations were set back by a government decision to favour a rival company.

"Our point is decisions have not, and are not being, made for the good government of Queensland but for commercial purposes, against the obligation of ministers to make decisions in the interest of the state," he said yesterday.

"I (am) not withholding anything. Anyone can make a complaint to police. In my judgment, based on the Fitzgerald inquiry, ministers only act for commercial (reasons) against the public interest if they are being corruptly paid. That's my opinion."

The Australian Story program's full interview with Mr Palmer was not broadcast but a transcript of 10,000 words has been made available.

Mr Palmer says in the transcript: "Well, I don't say I'm a billionaire! I've never said that. I've never said I've got any money. I just don't comment on myself, my business; why should I?"

His claim is contradicted by his repeated assertions about his assets and wealth, including a claim he made earlier this year in response to questioning by The Australian that he earns $500 million a year in royalties from Chinese company CITIC Pacific.

The claim was immediately rejected as false by CITIC, which is embroiled in Supreme Court litigation over Mr Palmer's royalty demands for the mining by CITIC of iron ore reserves in the Pilbara in Western Australia.

Mr Palmer has launched Supreme Court defamation proceedings against The Australian over four articles.

In the Australian Story transcript, however, he thanks the newspaper for the coverage he insists helped him garner votes in the election last month.