Palmer lashes out at journalists during Press Club address

Clive Palmer has lashed out at journalists during a National Press Club address, telling News Corp journalists to think for themselves.

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Palmer United Party leader Clive Palmer speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra, Monday, Dec.1, 2014. (AAP Image/Alan Porritt)

The Palmer United Party leader was quizzed on claims he misused $12 million from two Chinese-owned companies during his appearance in Canberra.

Sino Iron and Korean Steel, subsidiaries of Citic Limited, claim the money was taken from a bank account last September and used to fund advertising for the Palmer United Party during last year’s federal election.

Mr Palmer hit out at Courier-Mail correspondent Steven Scott following questions regarding the court case.

During the address's Q&A segment, Mr Palmer told Mr Scott to “think for yourself” and refused to let him ask his allocated question.

“Why don’t you try to be an independent journalist?” he said.

"... I'm not going to let him get his question out. I'm not going to take that rubbish."

He further described the Courier-Mail and its cartoons as a "national disgrace to journalism".

The outburst followed a series of questions from other News Corp journalists, who Mr Palmer told he would not be stepping down as party leader over the civil matter.

“I won’t be resigning,” he said.

“I can’t comment on any further stuff.”

The legal saga surrounding the allegedly misappropriated funds will drag into next year, after Mr Palmer's lawyers raised a last minute defence last week.

Justice David Jackson struck out the defence before the two-day trial, which began on Tuesday, but Mr Palmer's legal team are likely to reintroduce it and have until December 11 to do so.

CITIC's lawyers then have until January 15 to respond, with a hearing set down for January 29 next year.

During his Press Club address, Mr Palmer was quizzed on his recent ABC interview walkout, dismissing suggestions from journalists that he should face a wide-ranging media conference.

“We don’t have trial by media in Australia,” he said.

During his opening statement at the Press Club he said there is “no duty more sacred” than being a member of the media.

He also addressed the recent resignation of Senator Jacqui Lambie, saying he believed she would “continue to vote with Palmer United on most issues”.

“Jacqui Lambie is a free and independent woman,” he said.

“We want to encourage more free and independent women to participate in politics.”

Mr Palmer stated that his Senate colleague Glenn Lazarus had been taken to hospital.

While no other details were given, Mr Palmer said Senator Dio Wang was seeking a pair.

 


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By Stephanie Anderson


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