Clive Palmer Sued By Greenies

Mining billionaire Clive Palmer is being sued over claims that the US spy agency Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) financially supports activist groups like the Australian Greens and Greenpeace.

Drew Hutton, president of Lock the Gate Alliance, said that he intends to sue Palmer for defamation. Palmer described Hutton as a tool of the US government.

Lock the Gate Alliance is a coalition of more than 90 communities, environmental and industry groups. The alliance creates awareness on the negative impact of fossil fuel extraction to the environment and the people. It targets coal and coal seam gas mining industries.

Palmer claimed that the CIA is funding activist groups like Greens and other environmentalists. He said CIA’s move is to undermine the country’s economy.

Palmer also said he knows there’s a plan by an anti-coal group to stop coal projects. He claimed that this leaked plan shows the US Rockefeller Foundation is the group providing financial support and acts as conduit of the spy agency and the US government.

Palmer, however, attempted to distance himself although he did not retract his statement and said he doesn’t regret making that assertion. He admitted that he made those claims to distract people from the negative backlash the Liberal National Party is receiving.

Palmer even said that he felt wonderful to have contributed in the election of Campbell Newman as Queensland premier.

Hutton has been in talks with his legal team and is supported by political action group GetUp. GetUp has also stated that it is supporting Hutton with its advocacy against the mining industry.

Tagged CIA, Clive Palmer, environment