The colourful life of Clive Palmer

CLIVE'S CLANGERS

SINKING THE TITANIC

* April 2012: Announces he'll build a full-sized replica of the Titanic, but with enough life boats. Maiden voyage originally set for 2016, delayed to 2018. Workers at Chinese shipyard doubt it will ever float.

JEFF THE DINOSAUR

* Dec 2012: Palmer Coolum Resort loses the Australian PGA golf tournament over a row about billboards and animatronic dinosaurs. Life-sized Tyrannosaurus "Jeff" later burns down in mysterious circumstances.

MURDOCH SPY CLAIMS

* Sept 2013: Claims Rupert Murdoch's former wife Wendi Deng is a Chinese spy. "She's been spying on Rupert for years, giving money back to Chinese intelligence ... that's why Rupert Murdoch got rid of her." Previously claimed Greenpeace was funded by the CIA.

ASLEEP ON THE JOB

* May 2014: Photographed fast asleep in federal parliament. "Clive-o-snorus" front page wins Walkley award for headline writing. Palmer says he was tired after doing 35 media interviews before midday.

BUDDY, CAN YOU SPARE A NICKEL REFINERY?

* Jan 2016: Queensland Nickel, in debt by more than $100m, sacks 237 workers and goes into voluntary administration. Two months later Palmer regains control and sends the Queensland treasurer a picture of a gnome giving the one finger salute (he later claims his daughter sent it). Creditors vote to wind up the company - 550 more lose their jobs.