Clive Palmer sends letter of apology to Chinese ambassador to Australia for 'mongrels' comment on Q&A
Clive Palmer has offered a "genuine and sincere" apology over his remarks last week that described the Chinese government as "mongrels" that "shoot their own people".
The comments were widely condemned, including by Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who branded them "over the top, shrill and wrong".
In a letter to the Chinese ambassador released by Mr Palmer's office this morning, he wrote: "I most sincerely apologise for any insult to the Chinese people caused by any of the language I used.
"I regret any hurt or anguish such comments may have caused any party and I look forward to greater understanding for peace and cooperation in the future.
"I now come to the realisation that what I said on Q&A was an insult to Chinese people everywhere and I wish to assure them they have my most genuine and sincere apology, that I am sorry that I said the things I said on the program.
"It is in the interest of the whole world that Australia and China have good relations."
The mining magnate and MP, whose Palmer United Party wields crucial balance-of-power votes in the Senate, was responding to questions on the ABC's Q&A program about his bitter legal battle with a Chinese state-owned company.
His remarks were followed by warnings from PUP senator Jacqui Lambie about a Chinese invasion and calls for Australia to "look into missiles".
There has so far been no comment from Senator Lambie about her leader's apology.
A statement released by the Chinese Embassy in response to Mr Palmer's letter said that Ambassador Ma Zhaoxu stressed that "the Chinese people are never to be insulted".
"Any remarks attacking or slandering China would not gain support and were doomed to failure," it continued.
"The healthy and stable development of China-Australia relations is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, and cannot be overturned by any individual."
Foreign Affair Minister Julie Bishop, who last week joined a chorus of ministers in condemning Mr Palmer's comments, said she was pleased by the apology.
Ms Bishop said Mr Palmer's remarks had the potential to damage Australia's relationship with China.
"It seemed to be an example of Mr Palmer confusing his private interests with his public duties as an elected representative," she said.
"But I am pleased he's made an apology, it's appropriate in the circumstances, I wish he had have done it sooner."
The Federal Government is in the middle of negotiating a free trade agreement with China, and Trade Minister Andrew Robb said Mr Palmer's comments had done potential damage to the prosperity of millions of Australians.
GP co-payment is 'dead'
But on budget negotiations, it appears there will be no backdown from the PUP leader.
Mr Palmer appears to have closed off any chance of a compromise deal on one of the Government's most contentious budget measures, saying his party will not support a GP co-payment of "even one cent".
Parliament returned today after a five-week winter break, which was peppered with meetings between senior ministers and Senate crossbenchers.
But the meetings have failed to win over the votes the Government needs to get the measures through.
It announced in the budget that it wanted to impose a $7 fee on GP visits, blood tests and X-rays.
Walking into his party room meeting on Tuesday morning, Mr Palmer said the co-payment proposal was "dead" and there would be "zero" compromise.
"We won't be supporting it. It's over. Finished," he said.
"We're not going to have a co-payment of even one cent. There'll be none - isn't that good? All of Australians won't need to worry anymore.
"It's a chance for the Government to get back on something that is important about Australians - providing them jobs, expanding the economy.
"There's been no focus on that, it's all been diversion of what's really happening."
PUP senator for Tasmania Jacqui Lambie also appears to have closed the door on any compromise.
"Let me think about that? Um, no - definitely not," she said.
