Mark McGowan and Anthony Albanese slam Clive Palmer’s latest legal bid with Christian Porter

Senior Labor figures have seized at news former Liberal attorney-general Christian Porter is helping Clive Palmer sue Australia for $300 billion.

The exclusive story was revealed on the front page of The West Australian, which hearkened back to a similar Page 1 that depicted Mr Palmer as Dr Evil, from the Austin Powers film franchise, when he tried to sue WA for $30bn over a stalled iron ore mine in Pilbara.

On his Facebook page, the Premier shared the front page depicting the latest effort by the litigious billionaire with the caption “Clive Palmer Legal Action #14”.

Mark McGowan followed up with an attack on both Mr Palmer and the Liberals in parliament today, where he labelled the mining magnate’s move the “most deplorable act of greed in Australian history”.

“Clive Palmer is the greediest man in Australian history,” he said.

“It is treacherous and traitorous conduct on a scale this country has never seen before.

“He wants to rip $300 billion from Australian schools, hospitals aged care, and housing. From Medicare and the NDIS. From every Australian.

“Mr. Palmer has now cemented himself in Australian history as the most appalling and selfish person our country has ever seen.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded to the news by blasting Mr Porter for being “a part of Clive Palmer’s operation”.

“The Liberal Party were anti-WA when they were in government, they are anti-WA now they are the opposition,” he said.

“I mean, knowing Clive Palmer’s record for paying his workers, I hope Christian Porter’s asked for his money upfront.

“Together at last, Palmer and Porter. Name a more iconic duo, I dare you.”

Deputy Premier Roger Cook told media today that the Liberal Party had stood by Mr Palmer all along.

“It’s unfortunate that a former Liberal Attorney General should be part of this action, this vexatious action, in relation to these challenges,” Mr Cook said.

“We’ll continue to make sure we stand up for Western Australia. We want the Liberal party to clarify whether it stands up for Western Australians too.”

Mr Palmer is using his Singapore-based company, Zeph Investments, to sue Australia under international trade law for damages, interest and costs.

As Attorney General, Mr Porter initially joined the Commonwealth in backing Mr Palmer’s case against the WA border closure during the pandemic.

He resigned from Scott Morrison’s cabinet in 2021 after it was revealed he used a blind trust to fund his defamation claim against the ABC.

He did not re-contest his seat of Pearce and has returned to private legal practice.