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Palmer flags legal action against minister

Former federal MP Clive Palmer is considering taking Employment Minister Michaelia Cash to court over comments about his collapsed company Queensland Nickel.

Businessman Clive Palmer
Clive Palmer has exited federal politics but he's still causing trouble for government ministers. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Clive Palmer may have exited federal politics but he's still causing trouble for government ministers, threatening legal action over comments they made about his running of Queensland Nickel.

The company is in the hands of administrators and owes more than $220 million to unsecured creditors as well as $70 million to the federal government, which covered workers' entitlements after it collapsed earlier this year.

On Sunday Mr Palmer threatened to pursue Employment Minister Michaelia Cash for "a substantial claim for damages" over comments she made ahead of the federal election.

"Michaelia Cash simply lied when she accused me of stripping money from Queensland Nickel," he said.

"It has done serious damage to my reputation in business and the Townsville community."

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It is not known which particular comments Mr Palmer has taken offence at, but Senator Cash spoke frequently in April about the government's intentions to recover entitlements that had been "ripped off from employees" and accused the businessman of abandoning his workforce.

Mr Palmer, who famously listed "litigation" as a hobby in Who's Who, is still taking legal advice about similar action against other ministers.

He did not contest the election personally and no Palmer United Party candidates were elected.

Liquidators are in courts trying to wrestle back $180 million in unpaid loans from some of Mr Palmer's other companies, including Mineralogy and Palmer Leisure Coolum.

They're also defending a counter suit brought by Mr Palmer against the liquidators and administrators personally.

Comment has been sought from Senator Cash.


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