Anna Palmer says husband Clive Palmer was ‘joking’ in comments on her Queensland Nickel role

Clive Palmer’s wife has told the Federal Court she delegated “all functions of the board” to her husband during her time as the sole director of Mineralogy.

Anna Palmer, Clive Palmer's wife, a lawyer and chartered accountant, was the director of her husband’s flagship company Mineralogy from October last year. Picture: Claudia Baxter

CLIVE Palmer’s wife has told the Federal Court her billionaire husband was simply being funny when he told liquidators she was in charge of managing his finances.

Anna Palmer, a lawyer and chartered accountant, became the sole registered director of her husband’s flagship company Mineralogy in October last year after taking over the position from Mr Palmer.

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But the directorship was swapped back to Mr Palmer on February 27, just days after the court ordered Mrs Palmer be summonsed for questioning in the Federal Court by liquidators investigating the collapse of Queensland Nickel.

Mrs Palmer said during her months as Mineralogy’s director, she delegated many tasks to her husband, Clive Palmer. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

Barrister John Peden, for the liquidators, said the request for examination came as a result of comments made by Mr Palmer in court when asked about how he planned to “dispose” of the proceeds of a huge financial windfall out of a WA court case with China-based Citic.

“No, I would have to consult with my wife on that. She is in charge of financial things,” Mr Palmer said at the time.

“I just — I am just a pawn in her hands.

“She obviously would have high on her agenda going shopping, I think, you know but I haven’t got any intention … I live a frugal life.”

But Mrs Palmer yesterday gave evidence she believed her husband had been “joking” when he made those comments.

“I think that was just a throwaway comment,” she said.

“I think he was being humorous.”

Mrs Palmer said during her months as Mineralogy’s director, she delegated many tasks to her husband.

“I delegated the other functions to him and my focus was really on the view of the accounts,” she said.

“I had in fact delegated those functions of the board to him.”

Mrs Palmer said she couldn’t recall whether the arrangement had been verbal or in writing.

“I can’t recall making a formal document but that is not to say there isn’t one,” she said.

Mrs Palmer said she did not expect her husband to advise her of every decision he made during her time as director.

“But anything that would affect the financial position of the company, yes (I expect to know),” she said.

Mrs Palmer was repeatedly questioned for the names of employees who work for Mineralogy and said she’d have to think about it.

“Maybe I’m a bit antisocial, I didn’t know every employee,” she said.

When asked about how her husband planned to finance his plans to build a replica of the Titanic, Mrs Palmer said she was unaware.

“Is that a serious project,” she was asked.

“To my knowledge, yes,” she responded.

The examination was adjourned to later this month.