Mining boss Clive Palmer says his argument with Tony Abbott left him 'puzzled that anyone could be so violently opposed to transparency in government'.

Clive Palmer, the billionaire owner of mining company Mineralogy, says he has raised the issue of lobbyists holding executive office in political parties because he believes Australians want honesty and transparency in government.

"The question is should paid political lobbyists... be elligible to be the leaders, the executive members of our political parties be they Labour, Liberal or otherwise," says Clive Palmer.

"If a person decides they want to be a lobbyist they shouldn't be head of a political party or on the executive of a political party which could influence government policy," he says.

He says he is raising the issue as a representative of the Queensland LNP.

"This was raised at the state council of the LNP and it was passed," says the mining boss.

Clive Palmer says he was surprised by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's reaction to the idea.

"I was puzzled that anyone could be so violently opposed to transparency in government," says Clive Palmer.

"I was shocked by it," he says.

The mining boss says he finds it 'terribly tempting' to run against Wayne Swan for Parliament.

Clive Palmer speaks to Jon Faine on 774 ABC Melbourne Mornings