Palmer launches bid to stop debt claim
CLIVE Palmer wants a court to declare that the conduct of Queensland Nickel’s liquidators is “unconscionable”, as he tries to avoid an alleged $210 million debt.
The former politician’s companies QNI Resources and QNI Metals have filed a claim in the Federal Court asking for it to void a call notice issued by the government-appointed liquidators for the alleged debt last month.
The $210 million represents almost two-thirds of the $350 million that liquidators allege Mr Palmer’s businesses owe QN, which collapsed last January with a $300 million creditor bill and 800 job losses.
The new claim was lodged while Mr Palmer was enjoying his luxury cruise last month.
A declaration is also sought that the liquidators “have acted in excess of legitimate power they have as liquidators of Queensland Nickel” and that their conduct is “unconscionable” under Australian Consumer Law.
It is alleged Mr Palmer’s companies have been prevented from reopening the Yabulu refinery due to the conduct of the liquidators. The case will be mentioned in court for the first time next Thursday.
Liquidators PPB Advisory launched a multi-million-dollar Supreme Court claim last month against Mr Palmer, nephew Clive Mensink, his father-inlaw, two mystery women and various companies he owns.