Palmer link worries LNP
LNP president David Hutchinson has denied any conflict of interest in working for political rival Clive Palmer – but says he will resign if the businessman fields candidates at the upcoming state election.
The promise follows revelations Mr Hutchinson took a part-time contract working at Mr Palmer’s Coolum Resort – a move that has raised accusations of “blurred lines” and angered some LNP members.
The contract began just months after the LNP secured a preference deal with Mr Palmer’s United Australia Party at the federal election.
Mr Hutchinson yesterday said he would not continue working for Mr Palmer if the UAP ran candidates in the October state poll after fielding questions on whether he had a potential conflict of interest.
“I have always taken the role of party president seriously and would never do anything to damage the party’s electoral chances,” he said.
“Whilst I acknowledge that Clive Palmer helped the Coalition keep Bill Shorten out of the lodge, I am not aware of any plans to register UAP in Queensland.”
But Mr Palmer has been continuing to work on his political outfit behind the scenes.
In November he registered a new business name – Clive
Palmer’s United Australia Party – then lodged an application with the Australian Electoral Commission to change his party’s name to the same earlier this month.
A spokesman for Mr Palmer yesterday left the door open for a state electoral tilt.
LNP Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington defended Mr Hutchinson’s employment, but admitted she sought assurances from him. “Everyone is entitled to earn a living,” she said. “I have asked the party president to ensure he separates his role as party president from his work on the Coolum Resort. He assures me he will separate any issues.”
She later issued another statement saying Mr Hutchinson had advised he would quit his employment if Mr Palmer ran candidates. But party insiders worry it’s a bad look, especially after Mr Palmer’s efforts to tear down the Newman Government.
One said it gave Labor ammunition to link the LNP to Mr Palmer’s unpopular decisions, including the way he sacked Queensland Nickel workers in Townsville.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the LNP and Mr Palmer were “closely embedded together”, which would make for a tough election campaign. “I think it’s very blurry between business and politics when it comes now to the LNP and Clive Palmer,” she said.