Clive Palmer washes hands of Queensland Nickel as 237 workers wait for redundancy payouts

CLIVE Palmer has washed his hands of Queensland Nickel’s fate, saying he has retired, as 237 ex-workers wait to find out if they will get redundancy payouts.

More than 200 workers have been made redundant at the Queensland Nickel refinery near Townsville.

CLIVE Palmer has washed his hands of Queensland Nickel, saying he has retired, as 237 ex-workers wait to hear if they will get redundancy payouts.

Administrators appointed to the embattled Yabulu refinery yesterday said trading would continue while it reviews its books, looking for a way to keep it open long term.

But question marks remain over whether workers laid off on Friday will get their entitlements, with administrators set to investigate.

More than 200 workers have been made redundant at the Queensland Nickel refinery near Townsville.

TI Consulting, appointed as voluntary administrator, said it would conduct an urgent review of the refinery’s financial position before meeting creditors next week.

Asked about the company going into voluntary administration, Queensland Nickel owner Mr Palmer said : “I’m retired. I’m not in business at all. You will have to get in contact with the company”.

Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said his comments were ridiculous and cold and refinery workers had suffered because Mr Palmer put his own “political fantasies” first.

“While he’s playing these silly games it’s the workers that are hurting,” he said.

Mr Harper said the State Government had asked QN for workers’ details.

Clive Palmer arrives at a meeting in Brisbane late last year to discuss the future of Queensland Nickel. PIC: Liam Kidston.

“Queensland Nickel have not provided that list to the Government,” he said.

Australian Workers’ Union boss Ben Swan said it was convenient for Mr Palmer to choose when he was speaking on behalf of the company and when he was not.

“Yesterday he was touting himself as a hero. Heroes step up to the plate,” he said.

Mr Swan said the union was meeting with administrators this week.

EDITORIAL: Clive’s spin laid bare as workers pay price

Queensland Nickel managing director Clive Mensink, who is Mr Palmer’s nephew, said it was “business as usual”.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said at least the true state of the company and its creditors would be revealed.

QN representatives met with Department of State Development bureaucrats last night, while Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk planned to travel to Townsville to see the situation first hand.

— with Sarah Vogler