The idea that Clive Palmer and his PUPs would be a positive force for good policy has taken a beating. The other senators are worth talking to and negotiating with but I have grave doubts about the government dealing with Palmer. He constantly contradicts himself, revels in creating uncertainty and lives for personal aggrandisement and opposition to the Coalition. The real betrayal of the Australian people is that by his actions, to date, any hope of support from Palmer for economic reforms is fading fast.

No one should forget the TV clips of Palmer organising last week’s Senate mayhem. And more importantly, no one should forget that only as recently as November, Palmer said “he would be abstaining from voting in the House of Representatives on the carbon tax repeal legislation to avoid a potential conflict of interest”. He then said, “I’m applying company standards and stepping out of this debate as there’s currently a potential conflict of interest”. If the issue was not resolved by July the PUP senators will “deal with it”. Sunday's press reported Palmer’s office saying that although the amendments agreed over the weekend looked fine “it would be up to Mr Palmer to approve them”.

Conflict of interest: Clive Palmer owes an explanation to the Parliament and to the people. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Mr Palmer owes an explanation to the Parliament and to the people. Conflict of interest matters are not trifling issues. Palmer’s words and behaviour demand a much higher standard than he has shown so far. But he is not just breaching basic standards.

Last week Palmer concocted a series of nonsense excuses for opposing the repeal of the carbon tax. And when Palmer refused to answer questions about his integrity, attacked fiscal reform and promoted new red tape it seemed obvious it’s unlikely he can be trusted on anything.