Clive Palmer has been labelled 'the enemy' of Western Australia as his federal government-aided challenge to the state's tough border stance wrapped up in the Federal Court. Clive Palmer is arguing WA's hard border is unconstitutional.
He said the damages claim related to decisions made by the former WA government.
Picture: Angie RaphaelBillionaire Clive Palmer has claimed a legal victory and called for the WA premier to resign after likening him to former US President Richard Nixon over an estimated $30 billion dispute.Emergency legislation that would terminate the Queensland mining magnate’s claim for damages over the stalled Balmoral South iron project passed the WA lower house on Wednesday night and is expected to easily pass the upper house despite the opposition seeking a delay.But in an attempt to thwart the government’s plans, Mr Palmer revealed on Thursday that awards made in arbitration in his favour had been formally registered with the Queensland Supreme Court.He said the WA government should now stop pursuing its “draconian and disgraceful legislation”.“Even if (Attorney-General) John Quigley has the legislation passed in parliament, it will be invalid under our constitution,” Mr Palmer said.“WA Premier Mark McGowan and the Attorney-General John Quigley should resign.”A spokesman for the premier said the bill was “designed to protect us from such an order”.“It was obtained without any notice to the state, which is very unusual,” the spokesman said.“The state is seeking advice about whether the order can be set aside or appealed on that basis.”WA Premier Mark McGowan is refusing to give up an estimated $30 billion legal fight against mining magnate Clive Palmer.
What are Clive Palmer's interests in WA?
© 2020 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Extraordinary legislation designed to block a potential $30 billion damages claim from Clive Palmer is close to being passed by Western Australia ’s parliament. Billionaire Clive Palmer has called for WA Attorney-General John Quigley (pictured) to resign over an ongoing mining dispute. Published on Tue 11 Aug 2020 06.35 EDT The mining billionaire Clive Palmer is suing the Western Australian government for $30bn, the state’s attorney general has revealed. Through his company Mineralogy, Mr Palmer owns the lease over the Sino Iron project at Cape Preston in the Pilbara, which is operated by Chinese company Citic Pacific. Clive Palmer is claiming a major victory in his multibillion-dollar legal battle with the WA government after an order was made in his favour.The West Australian government has introduced emergency legislation into the state parliament after Clive Palmer claimed damages which could amount to $30 billion.Billionaire Clive Palmer has called for WA Attorney-General John Quigley (pictured) to resign over an ongoing mining dispute. The Premier says WA will keep fighting Clive Palmer's legal bid One expert has told court a "targeted" border closure would be better Clive Palmer's WA border dispute is being heard in the Federal Court this week, before heading to the High Court later this year. (9News) Mr Morrison said the government was not supporting Mr Palmer, but Mr McGowan said the Commonwealth could and should have provided evidence to help WA's border case. How can WA then protect itself from the coronavirus pandemic if the High Court decides he's right? Picture: Damian ShawMr Palmer previously indicated he would take the case to the High Court and has also launched legal action in the NSW Supreme Court.He maintains the government’s suggestion he is seeking $30 billion is incorrect, although he does want a big sum given he could not develop and sell the project to a Chinese company after the former Barnett government rejected his proposal in 2012.The state government and Mr Palmer had been due for mediation talks before the government blindsided him with their bill on Tuesday evening, but Mr Quigley said they never intended to settle.Mr Palmer likened Mr McGowan to United States President Nixon, who won a landslide victory in the 1972 election.“He, like McGowan, had great public support,” Mr Palmer said.“Nixon directed the greatest criminal cover up in history but he, unlike McGowan, was not supposedly exempt from the criminal law.”It was revealed on Wednesday that Mr Palmer had offered to scrap his separate hard border challenge in the High Court if the state government agreed to move arbitration hearings to Canberra.“What a liar he has exposed himself to be … he has a visceral hatred for Western Australia,” Mr Quigley told parliament.“His only interest is getting across that border with his legal team and experts and arbitrator to plunder $30 billion from Western Australian taxpayers.”
Scott Morrison has defended the Commonwealth's decision to join Mr Palmer's action.