The fate of Queensland nickel workers is unclear as their sacking has led to finger pointing between stakeholders.
The blame game between stakeholders over the future of Queensland nickel workers is making it difficult to predict the success of attempts to salvage workers' entitlements and jobs.
Businessman Clive Palmer says the loss of jobs from his embattled company is a tragedy - but not his fault.
But federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said that Mr Palmer has questions to answer over the management of the ailing company.
He also called on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to activate an entitlements safety net, to cover the unpaid workers' entitlements.
Mr Palmer lays the blame at the feet of the administrator, telling ABC TV they were responsible for sacking staff and making decisions that makes a bailout for workers difficult.
He said nickel orders cancelled by the administrator mean there is no prospect of work for the employees in the short term, as it could take up to two months to find nickel for them to refine.
He said another problem for his bailout strategy is a stoush with the Queensland government over environmental approvals.
Mr Palmer says he has done enough on the issue and it is a matter of transferring existing approvals.
