- WA recoups $445,700 in relation to defamation action brought by Clive Palmer
- Palmer to pay additional costs, but these are subject to ongoing negotiations
- Negotiations to recover costs in relation to nine other legal proceedings brought by Clive Palmer are ongoing, including his unsuccessful High Court border challenge
The State Government has received funds paid by Clive Palmer - as ordered by the court - in relation to the defamation legal action he brought on.
Premier Mark McGowan has welcomed the recovery of $445,700 from Mr Palmer to the State of Western Australia, after he was ordered to pay the costs of the Premier's cross-claim from 22 December 2021 and $20,000 in damages.
This follows months of legal negotiations - prompted by Mr Palmer's decision to personally sue the Premier - which then saw the Premier countersue.
WA's net costs to date associated with defending the defamation action brought by Mr Palmer and the cross-claim have been calculated at $2,021,665.
There have been other costs to the State associated with Mr Palmer's defamation action, some of which are entitled to be recovered. These are subject to ongoing negotiations with Mr Palmer and will be detailed when appropriate.
Since 2020, Clive Palmer and his companies have brought 13 other separate legal actions against the State of WA, or Ministers or officers of the State.
Two actions remain ongoing, while 11 have either been unsuccessful or discontinued.
Of those 11 legal actions, WA is entitled to costs in 10. WA recovered $103,436 from Mr Palmer - in relation to High Court contempt proceedings against the Premier and the Attorney General - while costs negotiations on the remaining nine proceedings are ongoing.
As has been reported, one of Mr Palmer's companies has also threatened to commence free trade international arbitration proceedings against the Commonwealth, and the State Government is supporting the Commonwealth in its defence.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"Clive Palmer's numerous legal actions have all involved considerable time and resources, something I wish Western Australia never had to deal with.
"While I am pleased we recovered some of the costs of the cross-claim - as ordered by the Federal Court - I would have preferred the defamation action never have happened.
"As Premier, I would rather not be spending time and resources in court responding to Clive Palmer - but it is important to stand up for Western Australia.
"Clive Palmer has a history of bringing costly legal actions against Western Australia, as well as against people whose job it is to defend the interests of our State.
"As well as attempting to sue Western Australians for approximately $30 billion, Clive Palmer attempted to tear down our border at the height of the pandemic.
"We look forward to the day when we no longer have to respond to Clive Palmer legal action, however we will continue our commitment to recover legal costs that we are entitled to."
