Clive Palmer says Opposition Leader Tony Abbott intervened to stop him from contesting Treasurer Wayne Swan's Brisbane seat at the next federal election.

Mr Palmer had claimed he wanted to unseat Mr Swan in the seat of Lilley, and said he intended to stand for pre-selection as the Liberal National Party's candidate.

But, speaking to Lateline from Tahiti last night, he said he had decided not to seek pre-selection - because Mr Abbott asked him not to.

"I listened to what Tony Abbott said," Mr Palmer said.

"He said Clive don't stand for Lilley, I don't want you to stand for Lilley. And of course I didn't stand for Lilley because I respect my leader."

Asked by interviewer Tony Jones if his bid had been blocked by "your now-famous enemies in very high places in the LNP, in the federal Liberal Party generally", Mr Palmer said: "No, they didn't."

"I'm sure they couldn't do that because these people don't live in Queensland. But it was just really that I thought there were good candidates there and it wasn't a seat that I lived in. Wayne Swan's correct; I didn't live in the electorate. I didn't have close ties.

"But as an member of the party, as an ordinary member of the party, I should be able to nominate for some seat. I should be able to throw my hat in the ring with everyone else and see what happens."

The flamboyant billionaire mining magnate now says he is considering other options, including standing against firebrand independent Bob Katter in the north Queensland seat of Kennedy.

"I'd like to stand in a seat where the people know me and I know them, where we've got a long history," he said.

He said he was not too worried about challenging an MP like Mr Katter, who has held the seat for almost 20 years.

"I've got a strong commitment to the people of North Queensland. In many polls they've had me as the most popular Queenslander," he said.

"Bob Katter's fought a very tough campaign. He's nearing 70 years of age now and I'm sure he's ready to move on.

"It's a challenge of ideas. It's about bringing Bob Katter's ideas to the forefront and letting the people decide."

He is also considering the seat of Sunshine Coast seat of Fairfax, currently held by Liberal Alex Somlyay, who is not seeking re-election.

Four million doors ... and counting

Not happening: Clive Palmer's putative challenge for Lilley got as far as erecting this billboard in Wayne Swan's electorate ( AAP: Crook Publicity )

Mr Palmer said he was committed to putting in the hard yards on the way to being elected to Parliament, after Mr Abbott took a thinly veiled swipe at Mr Palmer, saying that being an MP is a full-time job.

"If you are going to be a candidate, you've got to be prepared to do the hard yards of door-knocking, you've got to be there first thing every morning at the bus stops and the railway stations," Mr Abbott said.

"I know that Tony Abbott's said some things about door-knocking being important, and it is," was Mr Palmer's rejoinder.

"I've door-knocked on more than 4 million doors since 1969 and if he needs help, I'm happy to go down to Sydney to help him door-knock his electorate."

Mr Abbott has also warned the billionaire that one of the pre-conditions for candidacy is support for all party policies.

Mr Palmer has been a vocal critic of Liberal policies including offshore processing of asylum seekers.

He says the fundamental Liberal tradition is to vote with your conscience.

"I'm prepared to influence the national debate. I've been a member of the Liberals a lot longer than Tony Abbott has been," he said.

"I've been to a lot more conferences than he has been, and I've participated in much more policy.

"He knows that, and I'm sure he will take my advice on certain things."

The rhetoric is not the first sign of tension between Mr Palmer and Mr Abbott.

Last month, Mr Palmer admitted he had a swearing match with Mr Abbott over his push to ban lobbyists from the Liberal executive.

But despite their clashes, Mr Palmer says he will be able to work with Mr Abbott if he is elected to parliament.