Ex- staffer sees no future in waiting

AN ex- Queensland Nickel worker has compared the evasive actions of former director Clive Mensink in dodging questions about the refinery’s collapse to Christopher Skase.

Ray Alexander, a QN worker of 32 years, made the comparison after Mr Mensink’s uncle Clive Palmer was hauled before a Brisbane court yesterday, where the former politician said that he had not heard from his nephew since February and that he seems have “left Australia for good”.

“I’m really not surprised, we knew that was probably always going to be the case,” Mr Alexander told the Bulletin.

“He’s disappeared like Christopher Skase and is probably hiding somewhere doing it tough in Portugal, Spain or the south of France.”

Mr Alexander did not allege any criminal conduct on Mr Mensink’s behalf.

Mr Alexander has been happily on a new career path for just more than two years as the owner of the Gaysha Paint and Pattern specialty shop in South Townsville. He said while it had been tough to establish a small business in Townsville, he needed to do something after losing his job.

“I still needed a good wage coming in,” he said.

“As far as I know, everybody is still waiting on at least a small amount of money not covered by the government payout, but I think I’d be black and blue if I held my breath to get the money.”

Mayor Jenny Hill said all the Townsville community wanted was to see justice for the lives destroyed by the demise of the QN refinery.

“We want to see Mr Mensink back here and answer the questions about what happened,” she said.

Cr Hill said the workers wanted their outstanding entitlements, and Townsville wanted the Yabulu refinery open under new management.

“The courts and government need to decide if are they going to show their metal to the community and start to use the full force of the law to bring back these people to face the court,” she said.

“What we have had so far has been a farce.”