Clive Palmer Spruiks Plan For 25% Tax On Solar Radiation

ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact

Increasingly reclusive billionaire and tax sage Clive Palmer has shared a new idea this week that has got many people, particularly in Queensland, nodding pensively.

In addition to his plan to slap a 25% tax on all gas export, Palmer wants to stick a 25% tax on all solar radiation coming into Australia as well.

It's an interesting plan, Clive told The Advocate today, and one that he hopes will lead to both a rise in Australian-made solar radiation as well as more equitable prosperity for everyone.

"We are all for the taxing of gas but the reality of it is that in this green energy transition, it's the solar radiation that's actually the new coal, right? So we have coal now that gets burned, to boil steam, to turn turbines to generate power? Pretty simple stuff," he said.

Our reporter was a guest of Mr Palmer's at his Coolum golf club over the weekend. Much was discussed, except for Saturday evening when we overdid it on the kava and Clive resigned himself to it's earthy blanket and turned in for the night. On the floor of his games room, as we were listening to Atom Heart Mother at full volume on the Hi-Fi.

"So if we can put a tax or a tariff on foreign-made solar radiation, we can make bah-jillions. Same as the solar radiation we produce, we can tax it," he added.

It became apparent over the course of the weekend that Clive did not understand what solar radiation was. When pressed, he seemed to think it was some sort of uranium-adjacent mineral.

"Hmmmm," he said.

"I don't think so. That would be like taxing rainfall. Not above this government, just quiety, but no. Solar radiation is what, uh, solar panels harvest. From the air."

Clive paused and looked out the window.

"Next time you come here, leave that wicked shit [high-powered kava] behind, would you? My ears are still ringing and I can barely use cutlery still. But it's been good to catch up."

More to come.