Clive Palmer nickel refinery administrator wins delay

Administrators for Clive Palmer’s Queensland Nickel have won a court bid to have environmental action delayed.

Administrators for Clive Palmer’s Queensland Nickel have won a court bid to delay environmental action against the refinery.

The company is being prosecuted by the Department of Environment for allegedly allowing a tailings dam to overflow in 2014.

Lawyers for FTI yesterday won a lengthy adjournment on the grounds the future of the company was uncertain. The decision, in Townsville District Court, was a rare win for the company, struggling to find the tens of millions of dollars needed to keep the ­refinery viable beyond April 30.

FTI has confirmed it will sell Mr Palmer’s central Queensland cattle farm, worth an estimated $8 million, to recover at least some of the funds. Mr Palmer’s other assets, including his Coolum Resort, planes and vintage car collection remain in FTI’s sights.

Queensland Nickel will plead not guilty to the breaches.