Palmer case scrambling as refinery liquidator witness retires ill

Lawyers representing Clive Palmer’s companies in the Queensland Nickel liquidation lawsuit have lost an expert witness.

Queensland businessman Clive Palmer. Picture: AAP

Lawyers representing Clive Palmer’s companies in the Queensland Nickel liquidation lawsuit have lost a key expert less than a month out from the mammoth trial.

The expert, Queensland liquid­ator Peter Dinoris, has resigned as a registered trustee in bankruptcy, citing ill health. His move this week came only months after the regulator launched disciplinary proceedings against him over an unrelated case.

A late sitting in Brisbane’s Suprem­e Court last night heard that Mr Dinoris’s illness would keep him from testifying in the Queensland Nickel trial.

The founder of Artemis Insolvency, Mr Dinoris had been hired by Alexander Law, which represents a number of defendants in the Queensland Nickel lawsuit, to provide evidence regarding the financi­al status of the refinery at various points in the lead-up to, and after, its 2016 collapse.

His evidence was supposed to form a key part of the defence against the court action taken by Queensland Nickel’s liquidators, who are seeking to recoup close to $300 million for creditors.

Documents filed in the court this week included correspond­ence from late last month, ­between Alexander Law solicitor Sam Iskander and lawyers representing the liquidators, flagging the possibility that Mr Dinoris might not give evidence.

“Our expert Mr Peter Dinoris has been seriously ill over the last few months and has struggled significantl­y with his health,” the letter said.

Mr Palmer’s barrister Christopher Ward SC confirmed that Mr Dinoris would no longer be called as an expert. “A little over a week or so ago there was a press repor­t relating to Mr Dinoris relating to his illness­,” Dr Ward said.

“Mr Dinoris is represented by a solicitor and has informed us through his solicitor that he is deeply unwell and unable to continue to serve as an expert witness at the upcoming trial.

“We need to work out what to do in the circumstances.”

A media release issued by the Australian Financial Security Authority on Tuesday stated that Mr Dinoris’s resignation had ended disciplinary proceedings brought against him in August.

“On Monday 17 June 2019, having received evidence concerning the health of Mr Peter Dinoris, the Inspector-General accepted Mr Dinoris’s voluntary resignation as a registered trustee in bankruptcy,” the AFSA statement said. “Accordingly, the disciplinary proceedings­ against Mr Dinoris will now be discontinued.”

He was forced last year to show cause to the Australian Securities & Investments Commission over possible breaches of the Corporations Act regarding his liquidation of Asden Developments.