Clive Palmer agrees to pay unpaid Queensland Nickel workers
Controversial businessman Clive Palmer has announced he will pay Queensland Nickel workers their unpaid entitlements, three years after his refinery was shuttered in Townsville.
Mr Palmer, whose United Australia Party is fielding candidates in next month's federal election, has faced repeated criticism after Queensland Nickel went into liquidation in 2016, leaving hundreds of workers and taxpayers owed about $70 million.
However, Mr Palmer insisted neither he nor his companies were responsible for dismissals at the Yabulu refinery.
"It was the administrators of Queensland Nickel who, despite the direction of joint venture partners, refused to transfer employees and assets to a new operator, which would have allowed workers to keep their jobs," he said in a statement.
"It was the administrators who dismissed 546 people and closed down the refinery for no good reason except political gain."
Mr Palmer said the recent Townsville floods persuaded him to pay the workers.
"Considering the floods and cyclones that have ravaged north Queensland, I have decided to pay any outstanding workers' entitlement amounts not paid by the liquidators to these workers to assist them and their families in these difficult times," he said.
"QNI Resources will be publishing notices in the Townsville media explaining how workers can forward claims so they can be considered."
Mr Palmer has previously said he would reopen his mothballed Townsville nickel refinery.
QNI Resources and QNI Metals managing director Nui Harris called on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to expedite the approval of port, rail and plant infrastructure to allow the recommissioning of the refinery.
Mr Palmer has previously sensationally claimed he would personally run for the Townsville seat of Herbert in the coming election.
However, his United Australia Party website lists the candidate for Herbert as "to be announced".