Hellyer Metals liquidator removed in federal judge ruling

Hellyer Metals liquidator removed in federal judge ruling

The liquidator of a company involved in Tasmanian gold mine has been removed from the role, with a federal judge ruling the man had made "a serious error of judgement" and had failed to properly investigate the company.

The liquidator of a company that part-owned a Tasmanian gold mine has been removed from the role by a federal judge, who said the man had failed to properly investigate the company's transactions.

Liam Bailey was removed as Hellyer Metals' liquidator on Tuesday.

Hellyer Metals is being pursued in court for damages totalling more than $36 million over a failed business deal.

A federal judge has fired the liquidator of Hellyer Metals, which part-owned a north-west Tasmanian gold mine, saying he failed in his duties and behaved in "objectively concerning" ways.

The decision comes 12 months after the Tasmanian government ordered the Hellyer Gold Mine be shut down temporarily over unpaid debts, which occurred at about the time a "highly questionable" transaction was made from Hellyer Metals to an associated company, Celestial Group.

At the same time, Hellyer Metals was being pursued in court by resources company Goshawk Mining and investment firm Saxby Capital for damages totalling more than $36 million over a failed business deal.

On Tuesday, federal court Justice Shaun McElwaine removed Hellyer Metals liquidator Liam Bailey and ordered him to hand over all relevant records to Adam Johnston, who he appointed in Mr Bailey’s stead.

Justice McElwaine said "very real" questions on Mr Bailey's impartiality had been raised, and that along with his lack of action since…

In brief

The liquidator of a company that part-owned a Tasmanian gold mine has been removed from the role by a federal judge, who said the man had failed to properly investigate the company's transactions. Liam Bailey was removed as Hellyer Metals' liquidator on Tuesday. Hellyer Metals is being pursued in court for damages totalling more than $36 million over a failed business deal.

This is the opening of the story, shared with credit to ABC News Australia. The rest of the report — with every detail — continues on the publisher’s website.

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