Clive Palmer has lashed out at those who have criticised him while insisting he doesn't care what anyone else thinks because he has $4 billion in the bank.
In a fiery interview, Mr Palmer called Opposition Leader Bill Shorten "untrustworthy" and unfit to be prime minister before calling for an end to personal insults in politics.
Labor has been trying to discredit the "tosser" and "con man" after the Liberals struck a preference deal with Mr Palmer's populist party.
Mr Palmer labelled the personal attacks "fake news".
"Let's face it, I'm a bad person. I'm a bad person," he said sarcastically. "Who cares about me? We care about this country, and the policies we need to get done."
Clive Palmer, the founder of the United Australia Party, says the latest poll is "fake news". Source: AAP
But the comments aren't getting the billionaire down.
"My wealth is $4000 million. Do you think I give a stuff about what you personally think or anyone else?"
Among Labor's complaints is that Mr Palmer still hasn't paid $7 million in workers' entitlements after his Queensland Nickel refinery collapsed in 2016, while spending nearly $50 million on election advertising.
Taxpayers picked up a $70 million tab for his stranded workers, but they are still owed some entitlements.
Mr Palmer said on Monday the $7 million would be available to the refinery workers through a trust managed by a solicitor from Tuesday. Previously he said it would be paid after the election.
Labor has criticised Clive Palmer's parliamentary performance. Source: AAP
The mining magnate also labelled the latest Newspoll as "fake news", arguing that his United Australia Party could be running the country after the upcoming election.
Newspoll puts support for the UAP at five per cent.
"We know what the real figures are and we will be there on the 18th of May and there will be a new government in Australia," he told Nine's Today Show on Monday.
Eligibility questions
The mining magnate is running for the Senate in Queensland, while his United Australia Party has candidates for every lower house seat.
"Why do you think we're standing in 151 seats across this nation? Because we intend to win."
Meanwhile, there are questions about the eligibility of at least 19 of the United Australia Party candidates who have submitted incomplete or inconsistent information to the Australian Electoral Commission.
Clive Palmer is still promising Queensland Nickel workers will get their money before the election. Source: AAP
The Guardian reports those candidates, who have parents or grandparents born overseas, have not provided sufficient information to show they are not dual citizens.
A party spokesperson said all candidates were eligible and compliant under section 44 of the constitution, but did not explain why they had not completed the checklist.
Section 44 led to a number of parliamentarians being deemed ineligible to do their job in the previous parliament.
