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Businessman and former MP Clive Palmer is back on Australian soil – and back in court – after a lavish Mediterranean cruise and trip to Europe.
But he's still not sure where in the world his globe-trotting nephew is.
The rise and fall of Clive Palmer
The end of the Palmer United Party comes after a tumultuous few years for the billionaire-turned politician. Nine News
Mr Palmer on Friday attended a closed mediation session with the state Department of Environment and Heritage Protection in his capacity as director of Queensland Nickel Sales over environmental notices against his now-closed Yabulu refinery.
It comes after federal government-appointed liquidators also lodged a 280-page claim in the Brisbane Supreme Court in late June attempting to claw back some of the $300 million in debts left when Queensland Nickel collapsed in early 2016, leaving hundreds without a job.
Speaking outside court on Friday, Mr Palmer said his holiday itinerary didn't include a catch-up with his elusive nephew Clive Mensink.
Mr Mensink has been out of Australia since June last year and has repeatedly evaded liquidators seeking his input for Federal Court proceedings relating to QN's downfall.
"Certainly, if you're taking your wife on a romantic holiday, don't take your nephew with you," the 63-year-old said.
He also took a swipe at the special purpose liquidators' lawsuit and denied he acted as a shadow director for QN after formally stepping away from the company.
"That's absolutely not true, and they know it's not true," he said.
Mr Palmer is being personally pursued for $73 million he allegedly transferred from QN, as well as $207 million in compensation for allegedly breaching his duties as director.
Mr Palmer also insisted his defamation claim against Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was still in good shape despite some aspects being struck out by a judge.
The one-time politician is suing Mr Turnbull for $500,000 in damages plus $500,000 in interest for allegedly defamatory comments he made about the demise of QN.
Parts of Mr Palmer's claim were struck out by Justice James Douglas in June but the businessman lodged an appeal this week against the ruling.
After also touching on his views about Rupert Murdoch and the future of journalism, the occasional poet farewelled reporters and said he was off to get a Tim Tam.
AAP