Qld treasurer takes more swipes at Palmer

Accusations and denials are still flying between Clive Palmer and the Queensland government over his nickel refinery as sacked workers mull a community buyback proposal.

Treasurer Curtis Pitt took the first swing at the "self-professed richest man in Queensland" in parliament on Tuesday, accusing him of stripping millions from the business to fund his political party, before last year approaching the government for substantial loans.

He wanted between $25 million and $40 million, but then denied making approaches, Mr Pitt said.

"The government could not have in good conscience used taxpayers' money to provide a loan or bank guarantee to Queensland Nickel," he told the house.

Last week, Mr Palmer re-entered the Yabulu operation with a new company, Queensland Nickel Sales.

Since then, 550 jobs have been left in limbo.

The plant will not open until at least July 31 and only if five demands are met, including the granting of all government licences.

Mr Palmer's behaviour and business manoeuvres equated to "months of games" when workers, who had endured enormous uncertainty and upheaval, just wanted straight answers, Mr Pitt said.

The Fairfax MP rejected the rebuke as "nothing more than lies", on Twitter.

"(Curtis Pitt) is too scared to attack me outside parliament where he has privilege," he wrote.

On Monday, Mr Palmer fronted his first media conference since Queensland Nickel was placed into voluntary administration and 237 workers were sacked in January.

He took no responsibility for job losses.

The government has also introduced new laws into parliament to stop companies, particularly those in financial strife, from avoiding the costs of environmental clean-up.

Away from the ongoing arguments, 350 workers are now considering a community buyback model floated at a meeting in Townsville on Monday from local group Sister City Partners.

Director Warwick Powell said workers would be issued with equity in a new company based on a pro-rata calculation of the debts owed to them.

The company would not take responsibility for previous debts.

"There is no quick solution to this," Mr Powell said.

Sources of capital include discussions with the Commonwealth about the long-term loans scheme, the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.

It could also involve state government capital allowed for "substantial work" on environmental issues.

Mr Powell said many people at the meeting were keen to explore the path, and Mr Palmer is open to discussions.

"The bottom line is it's still an uphill battle," Mr Powell said.

"But what came out of the meeting was a very strong desire amongst the community of workers to fight for the future of this enterprise."