Clive Palmer is "mistaken" to claim the government wants to revive the now-axed overseas Australia Network television channel, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says.

The Palmer United Leader released a statement on Tuesday in which he rounded on News Corp and claimed Ms Bishop was preparing to reopen a new tender for the overseas broadcaster and award it to the ABC's rival – Sky.

Clive Palmer Credit:Glenn Hunt

The ABC was one year into a 10-year $223 million contract to run the network, which broadcast to more than 44 countries in the Asia Pacific, when the goverment decided to scrap funding for the service in May's budget.

"Sky will most likely be awarded the contract as a Liberal Party payback and thank you for Rupert Murdoch's support during the election campaign," Mr Palmer said. He then turned his attack on News Limited (now known as News Corp), which is linked to the ownership of Sky News Australia.