Clive Palmer’s in-law’s jaunts anger sacked workers

NEWS of Clive Palmer’s in-laws living it up in Bulgaria has angered sacked Queensland Nickel workers still getting their lives back on track.

Image ©Licensed to i-Images Picture Agency. 09/07/2017. Venice, United Kingdom. Clive Palmer in Venice. Venice. Ex Australian Politician Clive Palmer leaves the cruise ship he is staying on in Venice. Picture by Andrew Parsons / i-Images

NEWS of Clive Palmer’s in-laws living it up in Bulgaria has angered sacked Queensland Nickel workers still getting their lives back on track.

Sacked worker Andrew Harris said it was a slap in the face to see Mr Palmer’s family living the high life while government liquidators were trying to recoup millions of dollars paid to 761 QN employees retrenched amid the nickel refinery company’s demise.

Mr Palmer gave $7.6 million of QN money to his father­-in-law Alexander Sokolov­ in November 2012, the same day he allegedly transferred almost $43 million to his political party, friends, family and other famil­y businesses.

It was revealed yesterday Mr Sokolov and his wife Stiliyana own at least two properties in Bulgaria and travel frequently to Australia.

Andrew Harris had only recent gone back to work at Queensland Nickel after a serious car accident when he was made redundant

Mr Sokolov spent the past month cruising the Mediterranean with Mr Palmer and other family members.

The Federal Government is still chasing Mr Palmer over millions of dollars in unpaid­ entitlements.

“It frustrates me extremely. I recently saw on Clive’s Facebook page a reporter­ has found him in Venice and tried to quiz him over the Queensland Nickel saga, and he tried to change the subject and make it all about Rupert Murdoch,” Mr Harris said yesterday. “Personally I don’t think (the Government) will ever see (the money), but I hope they pursue it as hard as they can.”

The Federal Government has paid out $66.54 million to 761 workers under the Fair Entitlement Guarantee Act.

Ex QNI worker Shaun Bramwell outside his Ayr home. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Government-appointed liquidators have launched a court bid to recover the funds.

Mr Palmer has denied any wrongdoing.

Former QN worker Shaun Bramwell said it was frustrating to see Mr Palmer’s family cruise the Mediterranean.

Mr Bramwell, who received about $50,000 through the government entitlements scheme, said he was not sure the Government would ever see the money.

He said he was still owed about $4000 in entitlements.

“I don’t expect to see that. If I see it, it’s a bonus, but I’m not hanging on it because I don’t expect to see it,” he said.

Since the collapse of QN in January last year, Mr Bramwell has gained seasonal work as a sugar cane locomotive driver. He said he enjoyed the job but has not had the financial stability of full-time work.

Mr Harris has also been left with a $4000 shortfall, having been paid out $52,000 of the $56,000 owed to him.

He has struggled to find full-time work in Townsville and travels 1000km a week to run his parents’ business.

Originally published as Clive Palmer’s in-law’s jaunts anger sacked workers