Palmer says green groups funded by CIA Outbackjack: Businessman Clive Palmer claims the campaign against the expansion of the Queensland coal industry is being funded by America's Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Mr Palmer says a plan to challenge coal expansion is funded by the US environmental charity the Rockefeller Family Fund. He alleges it is funded by the CIA and says it is trying to harm Australia's industry and help the US. "You only have to read the reports to the US Congress where the CIA reported to the president that their role was to ensure the US competitive advantage and economic advantages," he told reporters in Brisbane. Mr Palmer referred to a paper produced by environmental group Greenpeace which calls for action to stop the expansion of the Queensland coal industry. Greenpeace's plans were leaked to the media earlier this month as it organises a campaign to raise $6 million to fund legal battles against controversial coal mining projects across Australia. He linked the environmental groups involved in the campaign to the Greens and some of its candidate for Saturday's state election. "I think the Greens in this coming state election, all their candidates should resign if they are being funded by an offshore political power," Mr Palmer said. "It is tantamount to treason. Something needs to be done about it. This is a serious matter indeed because it goes to the political independence of all Australians. Clive Palmer "This is a serious matter indeed because it goes to the political independence of all Australians." Mr Palmer says former Greens candidate Drew Hutton, who was consulted about the Greenpeace document, should be concerned. But Mr Hutton says the mining magnate's claims are bizarre. "I just think that's a bridge too far," Mr Hutton said. "I don't even understand the argument, to tell you the truth. "The only thing I know about that particular document that he's referring to is that it's an attempt by environmental organisations to access funds to do campaigning." Outbackjack: Federal Greens leader Bob Brown says Mr Palmer is a major donor to the Liberal National Party (LNP) and the party should distance itself from him. "They should disown these comments," Senator Brown said. In a statement, Greenpeace senior campaigner John Hepburn rejected Mr Palmer's comments. He said Greenpeace would not accept money from any government, corporation or secret service. Court action Mr Palmer is active politically and within the courts system. One of the Coalition's biggest financial donors and a member of the Liberal National Party, Mr Palmer last week announced his companies were preparing legal action based on advice the Government's carbon tax legislation was unconstitutional. But he will not be joining into any High Court action to stop the Federal Government's mining tax despite saying it is bad for the economy. "It probably won't cost me anything because I'm not mining anything that comes under the classification of it," he said. But Mr Palmer is set to sue international hotel operator Hyatt for $60 million over its management of the Sunshine Coast Hyatt resort, which Mr Palmer owns. The magnate is alleging the company has been siphoning profits from the resort and sending the money to the US rather than the resort's owners. ohnonotthatguy: It could be possible CIA have been known to do worse around the globe to protect its interests GeraldTheGnome: Palmer is a nut. Who else is stupid enough to have a Titanic 2 be built ? I certainly wouldn't get on the ship even if I was the richest person in the world, then again he might think that I work for the CIA because I mocked his latest Rich big boy's toy. |
