By political correspondent Emma Griffiths Tuesday 12 August 2014
Photo: Mr Palmer says he will not "telegraph" his intentions via the media. (AAP: Lukas Coch, file photo)
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Clive Palmer appears to be standing firm on his opposition to key budget measures, ahead of a meeting with Treasurer Joe Hockey in Brisbane tonight.
Mr Hockey will travel to Brisbane this afternoon for talks with Mr Palmer over dinner, in the latest of a series of meetings with crossbenchers about the budget.
The Palmer United Party (PUP) leader has repeated his stance that the Government will break its budget impasse only by either drawing up a new economic blueprint, or taking the nation to a double dissolution election.
Mr Palmer says he will not "telegraph" his intentions via the media, and says his position on the budget has been "extremely consistent".
"What I expect to get out of this meeting is a nice dinner, a good wine, bit of port and a great dessert. That's my expectation," the member for Fairfax told The World Today.
"Of course the government thinks they'll change people's minds and that ... that's their problem," he said.
PUP says it will oppose billions of dollars in budget measures, including the $7 fee on GP visits, X-rays and blood tests, the Government's higher education cuts, the increase to the fuel excise, changes to pensions and Tony Abbott's signature paid parental leave scheme.
The party holds three crucial seats on the Senate crossbench, and has formed a loose voting bloc with Victorian Senator Ricky Muir.
Any legislation that is opposed by Labor and the Greens needs PUP support to pass.
Mr Palmer has rejected suggestions the business sector blames his party's decision to block budget measures for denting consumer confidence.
"Business doesn't blame us, they blame the Treasurer, that's why he's so popular," he said.
"That's why the Treasurer's attacked business and said business hasn't been strong enough supporting him.
"You say business supports it - of course they don't, they think its crazy what the Government's trying to do."
