Palmer, Jones lock horns

Liberal MP Ewen Jones and fellow Queenslander Clive Palmer have jousted during a press conference at Parliament House.

Mr Jones attempted to hijack the Palmer United Party leader's media event with questions about taxpayer-funded payments for hundreds of workers who lost their jobs after the collapse of Queensland Nickel.

"When are you giving back the money that's gone to Palmer United from Queensland Nickel? the Townsville-based MP asked.

Liquidators of the company claim Mr Palmer siphoned funds from QN to finance PUP and personal purchases of luxury items.

"None of that is true," Mr Palmer told Mr Jones.

The millionaire businessman-MP sought to deflect the unwanted attention on his role in the collapse with a reference to the Arrium steelworks in South Australia.

"There's 14,000 workers in Whyalla - why don't you go down there and get the government to stop those people losing their jobs?" he said.

Mr Jones said he was looking after workers in his North Queensland electorate.

Mr Palmer wasn't impressed, telling the MP he was looking after himself, and nobody else.

"You will soon be unemployed, and unemployable."