The Australian 29 June 2013:
MINING magnate Clive Palmer has been hit with a $6.2 million charge for flouting the law on carbon emissions, in a blow to his nickel business as he mounts a campaign to become prime minister at the federal election.
Federal regulators disclosed the charge on Mr Palmer's nickel refinery yesterday in one of the first actions against companies that failed to account for thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Despite receiving free carbon permits worth millions of dollars, Mr Palmer's private company, Queensland Nickel Pty Ltd, did not provide the carbon units required by June 17 and must pay the charge or face further action.
Queensland Nickel Pty Ltd operates the Palmer Nickel and Cobalt Refinery which is wholly owned by Clive Palmer. The company has an outstanding 206,46 carbon unit shortfall totalling $6,172,436.40 in shortfall charges.
In May 2012 Clive Palmer was seeking a permit for Queensland Nickel to dump toxic tailing dam water into the Great Barrier Reef. The application to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has since lapsed, however the tailing dam problems do not appear to be fully resolved.
Palmer United Party candidates in Page (Steve Janes), Cowper (Rod Jeanneret), Richmond (Phil Allen) and Lyne (Simon Rock) need to explain why they are supporting a party leader who is comfortable flouting federal law and who apparently believes polluting the Great Barrier Reef is a right his company should enjoy.
Another of Mr. Palmer’s companies Waratah Coal Pty Limited has applied to renew its mining exploration leases in the Clarence River catchment area.
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