"The LNP does not in any way concur with or endorse the remarks made by Clive Palmer in relation to the Treasurer and Deputy Premier." But a spokesman for Mr Palmer said he would not be silenced by the suspension. “You’ll certainly be hearing a lot more from Mr Palmer next week,” he said. “Mr Palmer hopes his complaint is still heard.” Earlier, Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney blasted Mr Palmer's "temper tantrum" as the verbal war between the LNP and the billionaire escalated.

Mr Palmer this morning poured fresh salt into deepening wounds in his relationship with the LNP by confirming he will file an official complaint against Treasurer Tim Nicholls to the LNP executive. At a media conference this morning, Mr Palmer claimed Mr Nicholls had ‘‘cooked the books’’ to create the impression Queensland's economy was in dire straits to pave the way for asset sales. He renewed his calls for the minister to step aside, declaring him ‘‘detestable’’. The books have been cooked by the biggest crooks that have ever occupied the state of Queensland LNP state director Brad Henderson said Mr Palmer's comments had been referred to the next meeting of the party's state executive on November 23.

Mr Seeney said the question of Mr Palmer’s party membership was a matter for the LNP hierarchy and that he would not personally ask the billionaire "for anything". “The only reason that we’re having a press conference today is because Clive Palmer had a temper tantrum this morning,” Mr Seeney said. “The only reason he had a temper tantrum was because he couldn’t get his own way. He couldn’t get the result that he wanted. He has to learn that he has to abide by the same rules, the same laws as everyone else." Mr Seeney said there was no substance to Mr Palmer’s claim his business dealings in the Galilee Basin were being unfairly targeted by the state. He also had no idea about a complaint Mr Palmer alleged had been brought against him. “I have got no knowledge of what Clive Palmer was talking about - I had difficulty following it to be honest,” he said.

The Deputy Premier went on to brush off the personal nature of this morning’s blistering attack, saying he wasn’t going to let Mr Palmer’s assertion he was a “thug” or a “lucerne farmer with no experience” distract him from his job. But Mr Nicholls, standing before the media at Mr Seeney’s left hand-side, lambasted Mr Palmer for being “juvenile”. “Mr Palmer obviously is unhappy with the decisions he’s received from government,” Mr Nicholls said. “We will not be distracted by Mr Palmer, nor will we be engaged in calling names. It’s a juvenile effort which we will not be a part of.” Mr Palmer said he was aware of a complaint lodged against Mr Seeney seeking his expulsion from the LNP on "very serious and disturbing grounds’’. ‘‘The books have been cooked by the biggest crooks that have ever occupied the state of Queensland," he said.

‘‘Queensland does not have $65 billion net debt ... The only net debt we have to worry about in Queensland is the real net debt of $11 billion. "These people are detestable.’’ But Mr Nicholls stamped down the billionaire’s assertion on the state’s net debt. “[Our figures] are prepared according to the Australian accounting standard; our figures will stand up to any scrutiny,” he said. Premier Campbell Newman said he would only make one comment about Mr Palmer.

"Clive Palmer will be treated like every other Queenslander,'' Mr Newman said. "He won’t get special favours and just because he has a special relationship with people in the LNP, senior office bearers, he will not get special treatment or special favours.'' Mr Newman defended Mr Seeney against Mr Palmer’s claim he was a bully, saying his deputy was doing a ‘‘fantastic job’’. Earlier, Mr Palmer rejected the idea he was at odds with the party he says he loves and said he had no intentions to leave the party or form a breakaway party. ‘‘I don't think I will be losing any membership,’’ he said.

‘‘I don't think I am at odds with the parliamentary wing of the LNP at all.’’ Mr Palmer said he had discussed his concerns with LNP president Bruce McIver. The mining magnate ‘‘would see’’ whether he would continue to make donations to the party, which has long benefited from his deep pockets. Mr Palmer's comments come after Mr Seeney's decision yesterday to audit the billionaire's mining operations in Queensland. In June, Waratah Coal lost out to rival GVK-Hancock to build a rail corridor to link the Galilee and Bowen basins with the Abbot Point coal terminal.

Mr Palmer initiated legal action, saying Mr Seeney had failed to explain the reasons for that decision. On Friday, Mr Palmer also accused Mr Nicholls of lying about the state of the Queensland economy, saying there was grounds for dismissal. Mr Palmer has squabbled very publicly with the party since the election in March. The long simmering tension reached boiling point in September when the acting LNP president Gary Spence wrote to Mr Palmer saying he should reconsider his membership with the party. His latest comments have shattered any semblance of a truce.

Loading Mr Palmer said he was still forming his opinion about Mr Newman. - with Marissa Calligeros