Media release
Federal leader of the Palmer United Party and Member for Fairfax, Clive Palmer, said today nobody should be scared of the standover tactics of the Queensland Premier designed to intimidate broadcaster Alan Jones.
Campbell Newman as well as Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney are suing Jones and a Brisbane radio station for aggravated damages over comments the announcer made in broadcasts this week during the state election campaign.
The defamation action relates to broadcasts in which Jones attacked the Newman Government for lying about plans for the expansion of the New Hope coalmine at Acland on the Darling Downs.
“Alan Jones is a brave and courageous man wanting to tell Queenslanders the truth,’’ Mr Palmer said.
“His comments were clearly in the public interest and he has truth in what he said as a clear defence.
“Campbell Newman wants to intimidate him and stifle freedom of speech which is one of the foundations of our great democracy.
“As Franklin D Roosevelt once said, we have nothing to fear but fear itself.
“Alan Jones has my full support for telling the truth on this matter. He has my financial support for any legal action brought against him by the Premier.
“Campbell Newman is a crook and the inquiry being conducted federally into his government will expose that.
“He may now go ahead and sue me but the truth will prevail and his taxpayer-funded litigation attempts won’t save him.
“Once Newman loses his seat, he won’t be able to use taxpayer funds to persecute his political opponents,’’ Mr Palmer said.
ENDS