‘Vexed’ Clive Palmer reappears up Queensland Nickel collapse trial

Back after failing to appear at court, Clive Palmer has been berated by the judge.

Clive Palmer enters the Supreme Court in Brisbane this morning Picture: Josh Woning/AAP

Clive Palmer has been admonished by a judge for failing to appear in court during the opening of the Queensland Nickel liquidation trial.

The mining magnate, who is representing himself in the nine-week trial in Brisbane’s Supreme Court, was present during the opening morning of the trial last week but did not come back from the lunch break and did not turn up at all on day two.

This morning Judge Debra Mullins told Mr Palmer it was unusual for self-represented litigants not to appear for an entire trial.

“We need to clarify what your position is,” Justice Mullins said.

“(Most litigants) actually appear at the bar table the whole time.

“It’s your choice whether you come in or out but it can’t impede the conduct on the trial.”

Mr Palmer said his time was “vexed” in his role as a company director.

Justice Mullins said company directors usually engaged lawyers “to participate in the time consuming and all-consuming trial”.

Mr Palmer said he had been through a transcript of the court proceedings and realised he was wrong to not attend the entire opening statement of the general purpose and special purpose liquidators intending to recoup about $300 million for creditors of the collapsed Townsville nickel refinery.

“I was wrong, there’s nothing else to say,” Mr Palmer said.

“That made me more diligent to make sure I’m here every day.”

Mr Palmer last week issued a press release criticising comments made in court by Graham Gibson, barrister for the general purpose liquidators, who said mining tenements purchased by QNI in the days before its collapse were “worthless”.

This morning in court, Mr Palmer rejected Mr Gibson’s assessment.

“In his opening Mr Gibson said one of our tenements was worthless, that’s the first time I heard him say that,” Mr Palmer said, seeking to file an affidavit showing value of the tenements.

Mr Palmer said he’s been “taken by surprise” by Mr Gibson’s comments, but Justice Mullins said it was more reason for his to attend each day of the trial.

“That’s why usually in litigation one party listens with interest to the opening of the other party,” she said.

The court is today hearing from expert witness Richard Marsden, a US-based mining consultant with Golder Associates.