Qld Nickel sought federal bail out: govt

Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg has revealed the federal government was asked to "bail out" Clive Palmer's Queensland Nickel.

Mr Frydenberg told the ABC Mr Palmer had "plenty of questions to answer" after the refinery went into voluntary administration on Monday, especially about political donations the company made.

The government was asked for a loan guarantee to help the refinery but Mr Frydenberg said it was refused: "We're not in the practice of bailing out private companies".