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General Manager of Queensland Nickel Sales, Ian Ferguson, has called on North Queensland politicians to stop scaremongering and start creating employment opportunities for the people who elected them.

Mr Ferguson has strongly criticised the Katter’s Australia Party Member for Hinchinbrook, Nick Dametto, for his damaging and untruthful claims in the media about QNI recruiting.

“The fact of the matter is we are not interviewing at present because the Government is standing in the way of making the refinery operational.

“Claims that positions are not filling because workers are wary are ridiculous and designed only to create fear.

“Politicians like Nick Dametto should be working with us to get the refinery up and running for the benefit of North Queenslanders rather than trying to tear us down,’’ Mr Ferguson said.

“The Queensland Government needs to to take urgent action to allow the nickel refinery access to its berth in Townsville so that steps could be taken to commence operations and restore the North Queensland economy and create thousands of jobs into the future.

“Once we commence the restart of the Palmer Nickel and Cobalt Refinery we will directly approach the 660 registered staff on our books 90% of whom are former employees who are keen to re-join our workforce,’’ Mr Ferguson said.

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Following revelations in the Supreme Court of Queensland last Friday that the legal firm King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) had deliberately withheld crucial documents from disclosure, the Special Purpose Liquidator has executed a Settlement Agreement with Clive Palmer and all the defendants in the Queensland Nickel case.

The Special Purpose Liquidator (SPL) has withdrawn all claims against Clive Palmer and other defendants.

Justice Mullins of the Supreme Court of Queensland directed last Friday that a solicitor from King & Wood Mallesons who had carriage of the matter must provide an affidavit explaining why the document wasn’t disclosed soon after it was provided to King & Wood Mallesons.

KWM had not yet complied with the Justice Mullins’ direction. Mr Palmer said it wasn’t a good look for the legal profession when a leading law firm and solicitors did not comply immediately with a direction of the Supreme Court of Queensland.

“Maybe that explains why there was a rush to settlement on the following day, Saturday, when the Settlement Agreement was signed and exchanged through KWM,’’ Mr Palmer said.

“If I was aware of the undisclosed document, I would not have caused my companies to have given Aurizon a release the day before the document was disclosed to the court from a $1,600,000,000 claim that was filed against Aurizon in the Supreme Court of Queensland.

“It should be noted that KWM acted for Aurizon in obtaining that release and had also failed to disclose the document in the Queensland Nickel case.

“Many would say it is too close for comfort and maybe that explains why there is no sworn affidavit provided to the court on Friday as to the reason why the document was not disclosed. The document itself destroyed the SPL case,’’ he said.

Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, the Special Purpose Liquidator has withdrawn all claims the SPL made against Mr Palmer and all the defendants associated with Mr Palmer.

Mr Palmer stated in Brisbane today that it was a disgrace that KWM in breach of their legal obligations to the Court had withheld crucial documents.

“In my opinion, the Sydney partner of KWM responsible for running this case is an obscenity.  He has exposed all the partners of KWM, including their partners in China and their global chairman Wang Junfeng in Beijing – a leading member of the Chinese Communist Party – to damages claims from our companies of hundreds of millions of dollars,’’ Mr Palmer said.

“We are currently seeking legal advice in respect of an action against KWM. I wanted to first consider the content of the affidavit that the Court ordered KWM make in respect of this matter before causing companies to commence proceedings.

“It remains to be determined if the lawyers for the General Purpose Liquidator (GPL) also withheld such documents from the Court,’’ he said.

“We offered to pay employees and creditors 100% in 2016 but were prevented from doing so by the fee-hungry liquidator.  At last, under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, we will pay 100% of the employee entitlements, FEG and legitimate creditors.

“The amount that is being paid out under the Settlement Deed is 100% of employee entitlements, FEG, and creditors but because of the bogus claims made by the liquidators in court and in the press over the last three years it represents only 40% of the amount that was claimed against us by the liquidators in the case,’’ Mr Palmer said.

“It just goes to show you how these people manipulate the press and the courts.”

The settlement deed provides for the removal of the freezing orders made against Mr Palmer’s and others’ assets.

“This case sends an ominous warning to all of us that we should never prejudge others or get caught up in hysteria which may have no foundation,’’ Mr Palmer said.

“I had no option but to fight this battle to clear my name and to demonstrate to all Australians that serious action is needed to reform the insolvency industry which just destroys and does not build enterprise and jobs.”

Mr Palmer confirmed that under the terms of the Settlement Agreement neither he nor any of his companies would pay the tens of millions of dollars in legal fees and fees paid to and by the Special Purpose Liquidators.

Mr Palmer called upon the Queensland Premier to take urgent action to allow the nickel refinery access to its berth in Townsville so that steps could be taken to commence operations and restore the North Queensland economy.

Mr Palmer also confirmed that although payment of 100% of creditors had been provided for in the SPL Settlement Deed, the General Purpose Liquidator intended to pursue some claims against some of his companies to seek to be awarded money to pay themselves and litigation funders.

Mr Palmer stated that the GPL claims had no merit and were made just to enrich themselves and demonstrated the greed in the industry.

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Clive Palmer says Jackie Trad is to blame for Labor’s poor showing in Queensland, labelling the Treasurer and Deputy Premier greener than the Greens.

“Jackie Trad needs to take responsibility for Labor’s poor showing in central Queensland where she ensured the Labor Party would not support coal mining in this state,’’ Mr Palmer said.

“The result was Labor in Queensland only polled at 22%.

“Jackie Trad is greener than the Greens and let’s face it, the Greens are chaotic.”

Mr Palmer said Ms Trad should get out of the way and let Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk lead Labor or face the prospect of following Bill Shorten to the ash pile of politics.

“Bill was shifty, Jackie is just simple and not in touch with Queenslanders,’’ Mr Palmer said.

“She now stands united in allowing Adani to mine yet hasn’t stood up for any Queensland company trying to achieve the same outcome.

“Queensland needs coal mining and jobs, it’s a pity a Jackie Trad Labor won’t allow it,’’ he said.

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Clive Palmer has criticized the Palaszczuk Government’s lack of business nous and imagination in developing new mining business and future state revenues for Queensland.

Commenting on the Queensland Government’s recent announcement of its half a billion dollar Mount Isa Line plan, Mr Palmer said Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk and Treasurer Jackie Trad were using taxpayers’ money to provide lower rail freight charges for existing mineral producers such as Glen Core on the Mount Isa Line. (more…)

Clive Palmer has condemned any moves to have Western Australian sign up to China’s controversial Belt and Road Initiative as another dangerous step towards China infiltrating Australia.

“The Australian constitution is clear. The relationship between foreign countries is a Federal Government role, administrated under the Department of Foreign Affairs,’’ Mr Palmer said.

“In pushing for Western Australia to join Victoria in signing up to President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Init­i­ati­ve, the Chinese Government is attempting to infiltrate Australia through the states and bypass the Federal Government.

“The Chinese Government is dealing directly with State Governments, thereby disrespecting the rule of law in Australia, the Australian Federal Government and our constitution.

“Do you think the Chinese Communist Government would allow Australia to deal with each of China’s provinces? There is no way that would be allowed.

“We are seeing the Chinese Government ignore the authority of our Federal Government.”

Mr Palmer said the Federal Government should rely on the states to support matters of foreign affairs as dictated by the constitution.

“WA Premier Mark McGowan and his Labor Government have shown that they are willing to sell off Western Australia to overseas interests.

“The WA Labor Government has allowed Merredin Airport, just 260km east of Perth, to transfer into Chinese ownership after paying just $1 for a 100 year lease. This means Australian aircraft need Chinese permission to land on their own soil.

“His government has also allowed Chinese companies to exercise control over the deep water port at Cape Preston contrary to the security of Australia.”

Mr Palmer said the Port of Cape Preston had the facilities necessary to support and sustain large scale naval operations in the Indian Ocean.

“The power generation and water desalination plant together with the bunker fuel capacity provide the necessary logistics to support a large ground force with heavy equipment,’’ he said.

“Additionally, under a cloak of secrecy with the help of the Labor party, Chinese communist government owned companies have built a private jet airport approximately 80km south of Karratha and the existing Karratha airport.

“If ever there was a breakdown in diplomatic relations with China and hostilities were to commence, the Chinese control of these assets would mean Western Australia and its resources would be completely vulnerable,’’ he said.

Mr Palmer said it was equally shocking that Western Australian MP and Upper House Whip Pierre Yang, a former Chinese national, was found to have been affiliated with Chinese Communist Party Groups dedicated to extending the Chinese Communist Party’s influence in Australia.

“Australians rejected any relationship with China proposed by Labor at the last federal election.

“The WA Government would do well to heed the verdict of the Australian people or they should take the A out of ALP.

“It seems inevitable if the WA Labor Government surrenders to a deal with China, then this matter will be challenged in the high court of Australia,’’ Mr Palmer said.

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Only the United Australia Party had the right plan to deliver affordable, reliable and emissions free power for South Australians, lead senate candidate for SA, Kristian Rees, said today.

Mr Rees said the UAP backed the use of nuclear power from Australian uranium for the State’s future energy needs.

“Nuclear power from Australian uranium means affordable energy, lower living costs, zero emissions, real jobs and exports,’’ Mr Rees said.

“It’s our resource and our advantage,’’ he said.

Mr Rees said it was a disgrace that South Australians had endured unreliable power supply for years, affecting their households and businesses.

“Just because the Labor and Liberal parties want to live in the dark, why should South Australians have to do the same with blackout after blackout,” Mr Rees said.

“Surely the time has come for Australia to use nuclear power,” he said.

Of the 20 highest electricity consumption countries globally, Australia is the only nation prohibiting nuclear power.

“A reliable power alternative will make electricity pricing more competitive, so that hardworking Australians can enjoy a lower cost of living,” Mr Rees said.

“Major energy consumers such as the USA, China, India, Russia, Japan, Canada, Germany, and France rely on this emission-free, safe, job-creating source for much of their electricity needs,” he said.

“In Australia, we have less than 3000 jobs in the nuclear industry sector mainly centred on the mining and export of our uranium yellow cake to existing nuclear reactors across the world and valued at less than $600 million to the nation.

“Canada has over 60,000 jobs in their nuclear industry and a nuclear industry value to the nation of over $5 billion,” Mr Rees said.

Australia has a golden opportunity for economic and social development by embracing nuclear power from Australian uranium.

ENDS

Federal Leader of the United Australia Party, Clive Palmer, has blasted Bill Shorten and Labor’s negative gearing 
policy for giving foreign companies an advantage over Aussies.

“Bill Shorten and Labor’s negative gearing policy stops Australians from claiming a tax deduction from the interest
they pay on property loans while allowing foreign companies to continue to claim tax deductions on theirs,” 
Mr Palmer said.

“Shifty Shorten speaks with a forked tongue. He lies to the Australian people and does not tell them the full story.
Labor supports the big end of town.

“The United Australia Party believes all housing loans should be tax deductible.

“This will allow Australians to increase their wages by having more deductions or allow people to buy a bigger home.

“The construction industry will receive a boost as housing becomes more affordable.

“We have to return Australia to a high level of home ownership to provide security and stability for our people,’’ 
Mr Palmer said.

ENDS

United Australia Party federal senate candidate for Queensland, Martin Brewster, said Labor could not be trusted to deliver much needed infrastructure improvements for North Queensland.

Mr Brewster recently met with mayors of the North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC) where the six point plan for a better deal for North West Queensland communities was discussed.

“Number one on the six point plan is fair funding for roads. I have recently driven on the Flinders Highway, Burke Development Road and National Highway between Normanton and Cairns and the roads are a disgrace,’’ Mr Brewster said.

“Portions of these roads are still single lane, roads in general are in poor standard and severe flood damage has recently occurred.”

Other points in the plan included the vital services of power policy, water infrastructure, dams, telecommunications as well as sustainable population incentives.

“Coinciding with the launch of the six point plan, Labor has announced a $10 billion suburban rail loop for Bill Shorten’s home town of Melbourne,’’ Mr Brewster said.

“This is on top of $5 billion towards a Melbourne airport rail link and $2 billion towards a high-speed rail line linking Melbourne and Geelong.

“So much for our North West Queensland communities who struggle to scratch out an existence with second rate infrastructure and declining population.

“Labor only cares about winning votes and looking after the big cities, $17 Billion for Melbourne and not $1 for regional Queensland,” Mr Brewster said.

ENDS

The Federal Leader of the United Australia Party, Clive Palmer, said the Australian media had a lot to answer for.

“I have left the campaign for a moment to be with a terminally-ill family friend,’’ Mr Palmer said.

“First the media attack Bill Shorten  about his mother and now they want to ostracize me at  a time I want to support a terminal-ill family friend.

“The media continually comments on me as a person. Australians are sick of the media’s ethics and morals.

“I look forward to returning to the campaign trail in Adelaide late tonight before heading to Western Australia and then spending election night in Victoria,’’ Mr Palmer said.

“Australians know that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a new result. They will not vote Liberal or Labor.

“Labor wants to tax people into oblivion.

“As Winston Churchill once said – We contend that for a nation to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.”

ENDS

Federal Leader of the United Australia Party, Clive Palmer, confirmed today that some Liberal members had changed alliances to the United Australia Party and were now handing out how to vote cards for the Party.

“Many Liberal voters are now supporting the United Australia Party and assisting us with handing out how to vote cards because they believe in what we stand for,’’ Mr Palmer said.

“This is a testimony to the great ideas we have generated during this election campaign.

“The truth is that Labor are flying unionists to North Queensland to man polling booths. Of course these people are being paid full salaries to do this,’’ he said.

Mr Palmer said Labor wanted to destroy the sugar and coal industries of central and north Queensland.

“Bill Shorten misleads the Australian public. A vote for Shifty Shorten is a vote for a one trillion dollar bill.

“The United Australia Party supports the coal and sugar industries which are the backbones of the economy,’’ Mr Palmer said.

Mr Palmer said Australians desperately needed the kind of cheaper power experienced in countries including China, Japan and Korea whose low energy prices were based on Queensland coal.

“The manufacturing sectors in these countries are built on value-adding to Queensland resources, leading to increased wages and higher living standards.

“These manufactured products are then sent back to Australia as high-cost imports.

“Processing Queensland and Australian resources at home will create jobs, increase exports and provide a higher standard of living,’’ Mr Palmer said.

“The United Australia Party has set clear targets for the use of ethanol-based fuels produced from Queensland sugar which will deliver benefits for the agricultural industry, jobs and the environment,” Mr Palmer said.

ENDS