Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Clive Palmer’s Qld Nickel trial explained
Clive Palmer is fighting a massive federal government lawsuit over the collapse of his Townsville refinery, Queensland Nickel.
July 17, 2019
WHY IS CLIVE PALMER IN COURT?
* The cash-strapped Queensland Nickel refinery collapsed in April 2016 with the loss of hundreds of jobs.
* Liquidators want to recover about $200 million owed to creditors.
* This includes almost $70 million in taxpayer funds used to cover unpaid entitlements to about 800 workers who lost jobs.
* Liquidators allege QN was trading insolvently long before administrators were appointed.
* They say Mr Palmer is responsible for the debts as shadow director making key decisions in the background.
* His nephew and QN director Clive Mensink is also being sued for breaching the Corporations Act.
* Mr Mensink has been out of the country since June 2016 and is now considered a fugitive after failing to appear in court on a number of occasions.
* Mr Palmer denies the claims, which he says are politically-motivated.