Mining magnate Clive Palmer has been appointed to two key parliamentary committees dealing with economic matters.
Mr Palmer, who won the Queensland seat of Fairfax at September's federal election, was named on Wednesday as a member of the standing committee on economics, as well as the infrastructure and communications committee.
Mr Palmer's committee roles are understood to have been given the nod from the prime minister's office and government whips, but have raised eyebrows within the Labor opposition.
As a member of the economics committee, Mr Palmer will get a chance to quiz key officials from Treasury and the Reserve Bank.
The infrastructure committee has in the past examined such issues as the electricity sector, rail, shipping, aviation and the impact of the global financial crisis.
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The businessman has been battling with the Queensland government over infrastructure relating to his Galilee Basin coal mine.
He is also taking legal action in a bid not to pay the carbon tax.
Mr Palmer has previous rejected claims his position as an MP may give rise to conflicts of interest.
