Media release
Environment Minister Greg Hunt was blackmailing Australians by insisting direct action funding was tied to the budget, according to federal Palmer United Party leader and Member for Fairfax, Clive Palmer.
Mr Palmer said Mr Hunt has raised doubts the direct action plan will be blocked by the Senate as the funds would be part of the budget papers.
“That is nothing short of blackmail, raising fears that it has the potential to become a constitutional matter,’’ Mr Palmer said.
“If the government does this we will reconsider our position on repealing the mining and carbon taxes and this would create the potential for triggering a double dissolution election.
“After the recent Senate re-election in Western Australia, I don’t think the federal government would want this because they would be on very shaky ground.
“You only have to look at the recent results where the coalition had a seven per cent swing (Liberal five per cent and National two per cent) against it in WA, leaving the Liberal Party with 33 per cent, and in the Redcliffe by-election in Queensland where the LNP polled around 32 per cent.
“The tide is turning against the major parties because the Australian people are sick of being taken for granted.”
Mr Palmer has labelled the Liberals’ direct action policy a waste of money while politicians are debating reducing the aged pension.
He says the money that is budgeted for direct action should be allocated for more important things such as pensions.