Qld minister laughs off Clive's claims

Queensland's environment minister has laughed off suggestions that ongoing environmental testing at Clive Palmer's embattled nickel refinery is politically motivated.

Steven Miles said on Thursday departmental testing following a report of elevated ammonia levels detected in two creeks at Queensland Nickel's refinery, near Townsville, showed levels had dropped back to safe thresholds.

Queensland Nickel Sales, which manages the Yabulu refinery, earlier this week reported to the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection that excessive levels were detected in samples from Alick and Blind creeks.

"More recent testing performed in recent days has shown levels have returned to below the thresholds required by their environmental authority, so that's good news," Dr Miles said.

"It suggests that we're not seeing an ongoing pollution event."

Dr Miles rejected Mr Palmer's claims his refinery was being targeted because he was a federal MP.

"The testing is performed by his company as a condition of his environmental authority, so there's no politics here," he said.

"Unless he thinks his own company is doing testing they're required (to do) by law for a political purpose, there's..."

Dr Miles trailed off and laughed without finishing the sentence.

Mr Palmer told AAP on Wednesday the department was "having a go" at him because he was a politician.

"They see it as getting at me personally, they're pretty ruthless about it," he said.

Dr Miles said departmental officers would continue to monitor the situation.

The department would consider a report from Queensland Nickel Sales to determine what further action may be required, he said.