Mensink ‘had excuse’

Lawyer fights arrest over Clive Palmer’s collapsed Qld Nickel

FEDERAL Court judges say a number of excuses given for Clive Mensink’s failure to turn up to court wouldn’t “be a good enough reason for an adjournment let alone something more substantial”.

The three judges presiding over Mensink’s appeal against arrest warrants, Justices Michael Wigney, Anthony Besanko and Robert Bromwich, expressed scepticism at claims the fugitive nephew of Clive Palmer was unaware he was required to return to Australia for questioning.

“Why shouldn’t we draw that inference ... that your client refrained from contacting solicitors because he knew what was going on,” Justice Wigney asked Mensink’s lawyer.

“We need a bit of convincing as far as I’m concerned.”

Barrister Pat Zappia for Mensink said his client was

‘‘ HE BELIEVED IF HE HAS A REASONABLE EXCUSE THAT HE DIDN’T HAVE TO ATTEND BARRISTER PAT ZAPPIA FOR CLIVE MENSINK

unaware another court date would be set after he failed to attend a hearing in February last year: “He believed if he has a reasonable excuse that he didn’t have to attend.”

“There was no indication in his affidavit that he was aware another date ... would be set.”

Mr Zappia said medical evidence showed Mensink suffered from severe anxiety and depression “due to personal and work-related pressures”.

“The point I’m making is this condition contributed to his failure to keep in touch with his solicitor,” he said.

Mr Zappia said the medical conditions made it “difficult for Mr Mensink to function in a stressful environment such as a legal proceedings”.

Mr Mensink is the globetrotting former director of Queensland Nickel that collapsed in 2016 with $300 million in debts.

He has been travelling the world for the past 20 months and was last month tracked by NewsCorp reporters to Sofia, Bulgaria where he appears to be living a life of luxury.

The decision on the appeal has been reserved until later.