The Brisbane Times (8.3.16) reports on questions hanging over Clive Palmer’s self-funded rescue deal to save the Yabulu nickel refinery from closing operations.
‘The Queensland treasurer says Clive Palmer’s move back into his north Queensland nickel refinery raises serious questions, but insists the matter shouldn’t be personal.
‘Administrators FTI Consulting announced on Monday that Queensland Nickel Pty Ltd had been replaced as the Yabulu Refinery’s manager by Queensland Nickel Sales Pty Ltd, which is run by Mr Palmer and controlled by two of his entities.
‘He said he was able to keep the refinery and associated Townsville Port facilities open by securing $23 million of funding.
‘”This is not about Clive Palmer,” Treasurer Curtis Pitt told ABC radio on Tuesday. “This has always been about the economic future of the Townsville region and what impact the closure of the Yabulu refinery might have had”.’