It's my money and none of the voters' business, says Clive Palmer

Mining tycoon Clive Palmer has lashed out at questions about the state of his private companies, as he runs for the prime minister's office, according to the The Australian.

He is backed by more than 100 candidates representing his fledgling party at the federal election but says his money is none of the voters' business.

Palmer stood by his claim about receiving $500 million in annual royalties from Chinese companies despite a strong denial from one of his partners, CITIC Pacific and the release of company accounts showing no such payments.

No bad debts from mining slowdown: NAB

National Australia Bank business banking head Joseph Healy says a slowdown in the mining sector is yet to trigger an increase in bad debts, according to the Australian Financial Review.

Healy said economic conditions were challenging but troubled loan levels had remained stable.

“Conditions continue to be challenging, largely because of weak business confidence and the multi-speed nature of the economy,” Healy said.

“As the country’s largest business bank, our business is a mirror in many ways of what is happening in the domestic economy.

“I feel the ongoing weak confidence and sentiment remains a challenge.”

Gold bear takes a shine to the metal

After four years of being one of the market's biggest gold bears, high-profile Goldman Sachs broker Richard Coppleson has relented and recommended buying gold stocks, according to The Australian.

“The gold bugs will be confused – their greatest critic has just joined their side – but as I have always said, I would invest in gold when I felt the froth was out. Now looks like that time,” Coppleson told clients yesterday in his daily afternoon note.