Lisa Wilkinson tells Clive Palmer, 'Australia thinks you're a joke'
Palmer becomes embroiled in spat with The Today Show host over his response to affairs of his Queensland Nickel business
Clive Palmer and Lisa Wilkinson have clashed in a fiery interview as the television host verbally pummelled the federal MP and mine owner, telling him Australia thought he was “a joke”.
“Look at the way you have treated me, trying to talk over me,” Palmer said during the more than five-minute exchange on the Nine Network.
Palmer has been in the public firing line after his Queensland Nickel business went into voluntary administration leaving the jobs of more than 200 workers on the line. Let's just admit it, Clive Palmer is playing us all for fools
Lenore Taylor
Palmer has robustly defended himself against claims he had left workers in the lurch, but questions are being asked about funds directed from Queensland Nickel to his Palmer United party and involvement in any internal corporate dealings after he resigned his directorship.
Nine Network Today show host Wilkinson challenged Palmer to respond to claims his company was in financial difficulties when about$6m was directed to PUP.
“That’s absolutely not true,” Palmer said.
The company was financially healthy at the signing of an audit report in September 2015, and the nickel price did not collapse until October, he said.
Palmer also strongly rejected suggestions he used an alias to hide his identity in emails authorising capital expenditure.
“Everyone I have sent an email to knows it comes from me, who I am. As I travel around Australia I use many emails,” he said.
Wilkinson challenged Palmer – “a rich man” – to dip into his own pocket and pay out the entitlements of Queensland Nickel workers losing their jobs.
“The administrator made the decision he wasn’t going to pay the entitlements, not me, not anybody else,” he said. “I’ve been criticised in the press, it’s a fabrication by the Murdoch press and media. It’s untrue.”
Wilkinson: “Please Clive, I don’t work for Rupert Murdoch.”
Palmer: “Let me answer you your question, you will get a bonus from Rupert and the people who employ you.”
Wilkinson again pointed out she did not work for Murdoch, before telling Palmer: “Australia thinks you’re a joke at the moment”.
“I don’t think they do,” Palmer said
He confirmed he planned to recontest his Queensland seat of Fairfax at the federal election.
