Set the truth free, urges Palmer

Not many would have pegged Clive Palmer as a freedom fighter.

But on Wednesday the billionaire MP went to the Hyatt Hotel in Canberra to "set the truth free" about the state of the federal budget.

The Palmer United Party leader hosted what was billed as an exclusive post-budget lunch, but there was no reviewing of the tough measures that are the talk of the nation.

"It's about really setting the truth free for the Australian community," he told a small audience.

"So you will, and members of the media will know, what the true situation is about Australia's economy."

Truth and freedom dominated much of the rambling 20 minute address, in which Mr Palmer accused the government of manufacturing a debt crisis, and dismissed claims of out of control welfare and health spending.

There was no problem with debt, just an "ideological war" between two parties obsessed with being re-elected, he said.

"What happens in the meantime is a lot of innocent people suffer," he said.

Sounding more self-help guru than politician, Mr Palmer complained the budget was only about indicators such as gross domestic product.

"It doesn't include things like the smile on a child's face in the morning; the integrity of our public officials; the value of our marriages.

"And the sorts of things that really made you an Australian."

On the sincerity of politicians, Mr Palmer said a "truth contract" should be signed by government.

He said if the prime minister was a company director, he would have been charged with misleading and deceptive conduct for breaking his pre-election promises.

A few hours later he fell asleep during parliamentary question time, perhaps exhausted by his fight to uncover the truth.