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The Australian
an hour ago
- The Australian
Clive Palmer accuses solicitor Sam Iskander of Mineralogy ‘theft'
Billionaire Clive Palmer says he has reported his long-time solicitor to police, alleging the lawyer stole $30m in legal fees from his mining company. In an explosive written statement released on Thursday night, former federal MP Mr Palmer alleged that Sam Iskander had stolen about $30m from the businessman's company Mineralogy between 2016 and last month. Mr Palmer said Mineralogy would launch legal action in the Supreme Court on Friday seeking an order to freeze Mr Iskander's assets and said he had reported the matter to police. 'This is the biggest individual fraud in Queensland history and it casts serious doubts over our judicial system,'' Mr Palmer said. A mobile number for Mr Iskander was disconnected and the website for his law firm Alexander Law was not functional on Thursday night. Mr Iskander did not respond to requests for comment via email and voicemail left on the firm's answering service. The Queensland Law Society said on Thursday night that the body was 'aware of the situation and can confirm that Mr Iskander has surrendered his practising certificate and is no longer in practice'. 'Our priority in this situation is to protect the public and execute our duties as co-regulator of the legal profession in Queensland,' a law society spokesman said. 'We are taking all necessary steps to do this in accordance with responsibilities under the Legal Profession Act.' The society's online register of solicitors said Mr Iskander was registered as a solicitor in 2004 and he had an 'unrestricted' practising certificate. Mr Palmer has, at times, made outlandish statements. In 2022, he and then West Australian premier Mark McGowan were both awarded minor damages for defaming each other. The Australian does not suggest Mr Palmer's allegations against Mr Iskander are true, only that they have been made. The Australian understands Mr Palmer claims the alleged offending was discovered when he was compiling a tax return and sought more details about a barrister's fees. He allegedly found that Mr Iskander had told him the barrister's fees were five times more than they actually were, and then pocketed the rest. A forensic audit going back to 2016 allegedly found Mr Iskander had taken $30m, by inflating alleged bills relating to legal cases that he ran for Mr Palmer. Mr Iskander has represented the former federal MP for years, including during Mr Palmer's chequered ownership of the Queensland Nickel refinery in north Queensland and the dismissal of hundreds of workers. In 2019, the refinery said Mr Iskander's law firm was managing the trust account for unpaid workers' entitlements. As recently as January this year, Mr Iskander was filing documents to the High Court on behalf of Mr Palmer in his legal action against the Commonwealth of Australia. That case related to the registration of Mr Palmer's United Australia Party and a dispute with the Australian Electoral Commission. Alexander Law was listed as Mr Palmer's solicitors when the judgment was handed down in May. The former member for the Queensland Sunshine Coast seat of Fairfax lost and was ordered to pay legal costs. In an interview on Thursday night, Mr Palmer said the internal audit of legal fees had led to a complaint being made to police against Mr Iskander and civil legal action, which would be filed on Friday. 'Tomorrow (Friday) in the Supreme Court of Queensland, we're moving against him to get a freezing order against his assets, right?'' Mr Palmer said. 'And it's clear that he's applied a lot of our funds to purchase property throughout Australia, and we have launched caveats on those properties. I can confirm on the record that we've made a complaint to police, yeah, and that they're investigating right now.' Questions were put to Queensland Police but a response was not received before deadline. Read related topics: Clive Palmer Politics Anthony Albanese faces mounting pressure to boost defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP ahead of his first face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump. Defence Pentagon officials warn Australia must lift defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP to meet AUKUS commitments and defend itself adequately.
The Australian
3 hours ago
- The Australian
Germany suspends arms exports to Israel for use in Gaza
Germany will halt the export of military equipment to Israel which could be used in the Gaza Strip, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Friday, reacting to Israel's plan to take control of Gaza City. The arms export freeze marks a dramatic change of course for the German government, which has long been one of Israel's staunchest international allies as it has sought to atone for the Holocaust. Merz said it was "increasingly difficult to understand" how the latest Israeli military plan would help achieve the aims of disarming Hamas and freeing the remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza. "Under these circumstances, the German government will not authorise any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice," he said in a statement. Merz added that Berlin "remains deeply concerned about the ongoing suffering of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip". Israel has until recently enjoyed broad support across the political spectrum in Germany, a country still seeking to atone for the World War II murder of more than six million Jews. In the period since the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023 started the Gaza war until May this year, Germany approved defence exports worth at least 485 million euros ($565 million) to Israel. The deliveries included firearms, ammunition, weapons parts, special equipment for the army and navy, electronic equipment, and special armoured vehicles, the government said in June in response to a parliamentary request. Merz again stressed that "Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas' terror" and said that "the release of the hostages and determined negotiations on a ceasefire are our top priority". "The disarmament of Hamas is essential. Hamas must not play a role in the future of Gaza." But he added that "the even tougher military action by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, which was decided on by the Israeli cabinet last night, makes it increasingly difficult, from the German government's point of view, to understand how these goals are to be achieved". - West Bank warning - The decision marks a dramatic step for Germany, where Merz's tone towards Israel has been sharpening in recent months as the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza further deteriorated. The conservative leader has also been under pressure from some within his own coalition government to increase pressure on Israel, particularly from members of the centre-left Social Democrats. However, while often voicing concern, Germany had so far refrained from taking major concrete steps. Germany has so far avoided following France, the United Kingdom and Canada, who have announced plans to recognise a Palestinian state in September. On a visit to Israel last week, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul maintained Berlin's long-standing position that recognition could come only after a process of negotiation between Israel and the Palestinians but added that the process "must begin soon". Berlin has also opposed the suspension or termination of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which had been under review by the bloc. International concern has been growing over the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, where a UN-backed assessment has warned that famine is unfolding. German airforce planes have in recent days joined other countries with airdrops of humanitarian aid over the war-battered coastal territory. Merz said that "with the planned offensive, the Israeli government bears even greater responsibility" for providing aid to Gaza's civilians. He reiterated Germany's call for comprehensive access to Gaza for "UN organisations and other non-governmental institutions". Merz also said that "the German government urges the Israeli government not to take any further steps toward annexing the West Bank". Last month, 71 members of Israel's 120-seat parliament, including members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, passed a motion calling on the government to annex the West Bank. jsk/fz/rl
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Germany suspends arms exports to Israel for use in Gaza
Germany will halt the export of military equipment to Israel which could be used in the Gaza Strip, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Friday, reacting to Israel's plan to take control of Gaza City. The arms export freeze marks a dramatic change of course for the German government, which has long been one of Israel's staunchest international allies as it has sought to atone for the Holocaust. Merz said it was "increasingly difficult to understand" how the latest Israeli military plan would help achieve the aims of disarming Hamas and freeing the remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza. "Under these circumstances, the German government will not authorise any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice," he said in a statement. Merz added that Berlin "remains deeply concerned about the ongoing suffering of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip". Israel has until recently enjoyed broad support across the political spectrum in Germany, a country still seeking to atone for the World War II murder of more than six million Jews. In the period since the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023 started the Gaza war until May this year, Germany approved defence exports worth at least 485 million euros ($565 million) to Israel. The deliveries included firearms, ammunition, weapons parts, special equipment for the army and navy, electronic equipment, and special armoured vehicles, the government said in June in response to a parliamentary request. Merz again stressed that "Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas' terror" and said that "the release of the hostages and determined negotiations on a ceasefire are our top priority". "The disarmament of Hamas is essential. Hamas must not play a role in the future of Gaza." But he added that "the even tougher military action by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, which was decided on by the Israeli cabinet last night, makes it increasingly difficult, from the German government's point of view, to understand how these goals are to be achieved". - West Bank warning - The decision marks a dramatic step for Germany, where Merz's tone towards Israel has been sharpening in recent months as the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza further deteriorated. The conservative leader has also been under pressure from some within his own coalition government to increase pressure on Israel, particularly from members of the centre-left Social Democrats. However, while often voicing concern, Germany had so far refrained from taking major concrete steps. Germany has so far avoided following France, the United Kingdom and Canada, who have announced plans to recognise a Palestinian state in September. On a visit to Israel last week, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul maintained Berlin's long-standing position that recognition could come only after a process of negotiation between Israel and the Palestinians but added that the process "must begin soon". Berlin has also opposed the suspension or termination of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which had been under review by the bloc. International concern has been growing over the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, where a UN-backed assessment has warned that famine is unfolding. German airforce planes have in recent days joined other countries with airdrops of humanitarian aid over the war-battered coastal territory. Merz said that "with the planned offensive, the Israeli government bears even greater responsibility" for providing aid to Gaza's civilians. He reiterated Germany's call for comprehensive access to Gaza for "UN organisations and other non-governmental institutions". Merz also said that "the German government urges the Israeli government not to take any further steps toward annexing the West Bank". Last month, 71 members of Israel's 120-seat parliament, including members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, passed a motion calling on the government to annex the West Bank. jsk/fz/rl
