santa clive's huge party

Santa Clive's huge party

QUEENSLAND's richest man "Big Clive" Palmer is splashing the cash for Yabulu nickel refinery's - and probably Townsville's - biggest ever Christmas party.

The refinery would not reveal the cost of its "Revved Up" event at Reid Park next Friday night, but insiders said no expense had been spared.

"Suggestions of a million-dollar party would not be too far wrong," one said.

Miner BHP Billiton is also ramping up the entertainment for families and staff of its Cannington silver mine, putting on multiple events at Jupiters, featuring home-grown Australian Idol star Kim Cooper.

The Townsville operations of miner Xstrata will stage a family day at Brothers Leagues Club with amusements and rides for children, and entertainment including a band and magician.

Speculation on the Queensland Nickel event has been intense at Yabulu because of secrecy surrounding the entertainment and a pending announcement from Big Clive.

The date for the party was changed to allow him to attend.

The talk is that Mr Palmer will make a big announcement - possibly around expansion of the refinery or more bonuses for staff after a reported $100 million annual profit.

As for the entertainment, Canadian band Nickelback might be appropriate.

"There's all sort of speculation that the line-up will include Powderfinger or that Axle Whitehead will drop in from Clive's helicopter," one employee said.

"It's been getting a bit ridiculous."

A marquee for 1400 people is being erected and discount rates at city hotels have been arranged for staff.

"There's a big entertainment program, but staff have yet to be advised what that is other than it will assist the Christmas party for Queensland Nickel," a Yabulu refinery spokesman said.

"It's only big because of the size of the workforce - there are a lot of us."

A spokesman for BHP Cannington said the company would hold two events at Jupiters so all staff, who work on week-on week-off rosters, could attend.

The company was also staging two parties for children of staff at Lollipops at Domain Central.

"This year we are putting on more entertainment to make it more of an experience," he said.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Townsville partner Roy Peterson said surveys of Townsville businesses indicated they were spending less on entertainment but maintaining the traditional staff Christmas parties.

General manager of Xstrata's Townsville operations Mark Roberts said family-oriented Christmas parties were a small price to pay to acknowledge staff efforts.

"Like any business you have got to make sure it doesn't get out of control," he said.

"If you look at it overall and equate it back to the cost per person, it's a small investment to show your appreciation."
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I wonder if he could spring for a 6 pack of beer & a packet of party pies for all ARH shareholders at the Susan Palmer site!