Builder Michael Hickinbotham is taking the government to court
The owner of the state’s biggest home building company, Michael Hickinbotham, is taking the State Government to court for compensation.
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Prominent building company owner Michael Hickinbotham is taking the State Government to court in pursuit of compensation.
Mr Hickinbotham this year filed a claim in the Supreme Court for “debt recovery” against the State of South Australia.
Judge Bochner, who is hearing the matter, has not granted The Advertiser access to the file to glean further details of what the matter is about.
The matter is not suppressed, however Judge Bochner has denied access under Section 131 of the Supreme Court Act.
This part of the Act stipulates that members of the public have the right to access certain court documents such as judgments and transcripts, but that the permission of the court must be sought for material which has been suppressed or “sensitive material in the custody of the court’’.
“A decision by the court on an application under this section is administrative and is final and not subject to any form of review,’’ the Act says.
The Advertiser has checked the Supreme Court suppression register and the matter is not subject to a suppression order.
Mr Hickinbotham is chief executive of the Hickinbotham Group, which is South Australia’s largest home building company.
He has also held a number of board positions including a current role as a member of the Urban development Institute of Australia’s executive council in SA, and was previously chairman of the Australian Population Institute of Australia (SA), and a former board member of Family Business Australia (SA).
He also served two terms, from 2006-2014, on the former Labor Government’s Economic Development Board.
Hickinbotham has built tens of thousands of homes since being founded by Alan Hickinbotham in 1954.
It currently has developments for sale at Mannum, Hayborough, Two Wells, Hackham and Nuriootpa.
Mr Hickinbotham also owns a spirits company, Adelaide Gin.
Mr Hickinbotham declined to comment.