Clive Palmer says he will file a defamation lawsuit against Queensland’s health minister shortly after the state election next weekend.
The Palmer United party leader used Twitter to announce at the weekend that he would sue Lawrence Springborg “for defamation for comments he made about me”.
— Clive Palmer (@CliveFPalmer) January 25, 2015
I’m suing Lawrence Springborg for defamation for comments he made about me. Disgrace @LNPQLD ministers suing people like Alan Jones #qldpol
On Monday Palmer said he would not reveal details of the alleged defamation because it was a “private matter” that would soon be before the court.
Palmer said he intended to lodge the lawsuit early next week, after Queenslanders go to the polls on Saturday.
Last week several senior Liberal National party figures – including the premier, Campbell Newman, and Springborg – launched their own writs against the radio presenter Alan Jones.
Palmer had earlier offered financial support to Jones to fight any legal action against him by Newman.
Jones is facing defamation action over comments about Queensland’s New Acland coalmine.
The broadcaster also claimed Newman lied to him by pledging that stage three of the Acland project, on the Darling Downs, would not proceed.
Springborg has been contacted for comment.