Clive Palmer has been photographed at a gathering of a strident anti-Islamic movement.
The Patriots Defence League of Australia has posted pictures of the billionaire politician smiling and giving the thumbs-up with members at a BBQ earlier this month.
But Mr Palmer says he was at the Brisbane park for a different event - ironically welcoming migrants - when he was approached by PDLA members.
“I did not attend any BBQ with these people, nor did I or have I endorsed any of their political views,” he said.
“I attended the BBQ of the Bulgarian association at the invite of the Bulgarian ambassador to encourage immigration. These people turned up uninvited as far as I was aware.
“We have to welcome refugees to our country.”
The far-right group warns against a Muslim “invasion”, opposes halal certification and has fought plans for new mosques including one on the Sunshine Coast.
Anti-Islam leaflets dumped at Kingston mosque in Logan last year featuring racist taunts carried the League’s logo.
The PDLA has also been heavily involved in Reclaim Australia rallies around the country.
The meeting with Mr Palmer, member for the federal seat of Fairfax on the Sunshine Coast, happened on Father’s Day.
The organisation’s Facebook page posted pictures of the event later that day.
“What do we do at PDLA BBQS? " it said. “Well we mix and talk with people who can make change in this country.... Clive Palmer was in the presence of one of our QLD meetings today and has listened to our concerns.... Thanks Clive Palmer for your time...”
The group’s Sunshine Coast chapter leader Lee Anderson said members were holding a fund-raising event when they spotted Mr Palmer and took the opportunity to tell them who they were and share their views with him.
Shane O’Brien said he and other members spoke to Mr Palmer for about 25 minutes. “The subject (Islam) was brought up but very quickly put to bed because everyone sensed it was going to ruin the day.
“Blind Freddy knows what the problems are anyway.
“We just had a great afternoon enjoying the festivities.
“We told him we believe in multi-ethnicity, but one culture.”
A spokeswoman for Mr Palmer said: “The park and BBQ facilities were used by a number of different groups on the day. Mr Palmer had a number of brief chats with various people in the park including photos with different people who requested, as happens everywhere he travels.
“One of the groups was the PDLA, who happened to be meeting in the same park. Mr Palmer was not invited to their meeting and did not attend specifically to be a part of their meeting.
“As an elected official, he does have a duty to listen to the people and hear the concerns of all of those he represents. Listening to people, regardless of their political views, does not mean that Mr Palmer necessarily supports that person or group’s views.”
In June, the Queensland Office of Fair Trading revoked the PDLA’s status as an incorporated association after the group had misrepresented itself as an advocacy group for domestic violence victims.
When it registered in January 2014, it claimed its objectives were “to raise awareness of womens and childrens [sic] rights and domestic violence against women and children”.