Last week Mr Palmer's QNI Resources announced it wanted to reopen the refinery, but was unable to gain necessary shipping access to the Port of Townsville.

Queensland Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk ruled out the state financially supporting Mr Palmer's plans to restart the refinery, saying he need to "pay his workers and pay his bills".

Still entangled in ongoing court proceedings over the collapse of Queensland Nickel and efforts from liquidators to scrape back wages owed to its workers, Mr Palmer attacked the liquidators for rejecting an offer from his nephew Clive Mensink to transfer the mine's workers and assets to a new operator.

“The millions spent on special purpose liquidators would be far better spent on hospitals and schools," Mr Palmer said.

“We all need a way forward so we can reopen the refinery for the benefit of north Queensland, Queensland and Australia."