Queensland’s deputy premier says Clive Palmer is damaging Australia’s relations with China and is a national embarrassment.
Jeff Seeney’s criticism of the federal MP comes a day after West Australian Premier Colin Barnett slammed Mr Palmer as his Mineralogy group engages in a bitter legal dispute with Chinese state-owned CITIC Pacific over iron ore and port matters in the Pilbara region.
“I would agree with Colin Barnett that the relationship that is very important to Australia and Queensland – that relationship between us and China has certainly been damaged by Clive Palmer and his antics,” Mr Seeney told reporters in Brisbane on Wednesday.
“Clive Palmer is an embarrassment to Queensland and an embarrassment to Australia.”
But Mr Seeney declined to repeat an assertion made in parliament earlier this month where he described Mr Palmer as a “crook” who had used Chinese money to fund the Palmer United Palmer’s election campaigns.
“I refer you to what I said in the parliament,” he said.
Premier Campbell Newman claimed Mr Palmer was all about power and money.
“I do agree that his antics give rise for concern,” he said. – AAP
IMAGE: Federal MP Clive Palmer addresses the Queensland Media Club in Brisbane, Monday, May 19, 2014. Mr Palmer used his speech to attack the Abbott government in relation to measures announced in the budget. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)