On August 18, 2014, In an ABC program, Palmer accused China of trying to steal Australia's natural resources by seizing its ports and called it a "bastard" who wants to "take over the country."
The founder of the Palmer United Party, Palmer was elected to Parliament last year, where his party holds three seats. Palmer has worked with the Chinese for years, but in recent years has clashed several times in court with Chinese company Citic Pacific over a chinese-Australian magnetite project. Asked on the show about the lawsuit, Mr Palmer said: "They've moved a $200 million of iron ore out of the country so far and not paid a penny. I don't mind standing up against these Chinese bastards." Mr Palmer's comments were strongly criticised by Australian politicians for being shamefully irresponsible. On The 19th, a number of Australian political heavyweights have voiced their criticism of Palmer's inappropriate remarks. Australian Treasurer Hockey said Palmer's China-bashing has done "tremendous damage" to Australia's relationship with China. In this regard, many Chinese are angry, such remarks really hurt the hearts of many Chinese in Australia, should be strongly condemned! Some netizens expressed their anger, saying that they wanted to hit him across the screen.