Mining magnate Palmer opens fire on Bligh
Mining magnate Clive Palmer says he has not and will not donate any money to Queensland's Liberal National Party this financial year.
Earlier this week Mr Palmer accused the Queensland government of political interference over its handling of a 500km rail link project in the Galilee basin.
Mr Palmer's company China First has announced an $8 billion lawsuit against rail operator QR National, which is one-third owned by the Queensland government.
China First says it had been in talks with QR National about developing a multi-user rail corridor.
But QR National has since unveiled its own plan and been granted significant project status by the state government.
Mr Palmer on Wednesday attacked Premier Anna Bligh and her deputy Andrew Fraser accusing them of "trying to utilise their
influence for commercial gain or political gain over the institutions of this state and the commercial enterprises".
He said QR National sought a monopoly over the corridor.
He also used the 40-minute media conference to criticise the Bligh government's handling of the Queensland floods crisis and the state election announcement.
Earlier this week, Ms Bligh and Mr Fraser said Mr Palmer, who has bankrolled the LNP in the past, would expect special treatment from any LNP government.
"Over the six months in relation to the state campaign, I just want to make it clear that I haven't given them one cent," Mr Palmer told reporters on Wednesday.
"Nor do I intend to give them one cent for the period despite the fact that I've been a member for 45 years.
"I'm not doing that out of protest against the premier's legislation ... where trade unions are free to give up to $500,000
a year, and companies and people in business and enterprise in this state are restricted to $5000 maximum donation."
He said Labor was trying to tilt the playing field in its favour.
The election will be held on March 24.
