Queensland mining magnate Clive Palmer is still undecided on whether he’ll leave the Liberal National Party.

A life-long member, and one of the party’s biggest financial donors, Mr Palmer spoke out against the Newman government’s first state budget last week.

Hundreds of students gathered at the Gold Coast’s Bond Univeristy to hear Clive Palmer speak about business, the economy.. And perhaps catch a few candid moments.

Tess Gilfedder reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Hundreds of students gathered at the Gold Coast’s Bond Univeristy to hear Clive Palmer speak about business, the economy and perhaps catch a few candid moments.

Clive Palmer, Businessman: “I just left China last week and there was a great line. The guy opened up his speech and he said “A good speech is like a girl’s skirt”. And I couldn’t follow him, couldn’t work out what he was saying. He said “the shorter, the better.”

But the question on everyone’s lips was whether he would quit his membership with the LNP.

Mr Palmer didn’t give much away.

Clive Palmer, Businessman: “I’ll just have to consider it this week and see what happens and get my advisors to tell me.”

The speculation comes after he publically attacked the fourteen-thousand public sector job cuts and hikes in coalmining royalties, announced as part of Queensland’s state budget last week.

Clive Palmer, Businessman: “If I think people are being persecuted, if I think the members of the LNP or the premier isn’t following the party policy which the people vote for, I’ll say it.”

It’s not the first time Mr Palmer has made his disapproval known. Last month he withdrew his bid for preselection in the next federal election, saying he couldn’t support the Coalition’s stance
on asylum seekers.

If he does quit the party, he won’t have trouble finding a new home.

Aidan McLindon, Katter’s Australian Party: “Look Clive is his own man, he puts it out there and I think that’s a healthy thing.”

At this stage, Mr Palmer’s not so keen.

Clive Palmer, Businessman: “Well I can’t because I’m a member of the LNP, and you’re not allowed to join other parties. And I’m a loyal, I’m a loyal member of the LNP.”

A final decision is expected later in the week.

Tess Gilfedder, QUT News.