Christian Porter spotted chatting with John Kizon in heart of Perth’s legal precinct

Former attorney-general Christian Porter has been spotted chatting with John Kizon just days after it was revealed he had been hired by Clive Palmer to sue the Australian Government for $300 billion. The ex-chief law officer was photographed walking and talking with the colourful Northbridge identity in the heart of Perth’s legal precinct on Wednesday afternoon, within metres of his office at Geoffrey Miller Chambers on Irwin Street. After being contacted about the sighting, Mr Porter insisted the Melbourne-born businessman was “not a client”. However, he refused to provide any context in relation to the interaction, and would not be drawn as to the nature of their relationship. It came a week after The West Australian revealed Mr Porter was helping Palmer sue Australia for $300 billion. Late last month, The West confirmed Palmer had drafted Mr Porter to lodge an international lawsuit that claimed the nation owed him almost $300 billion in damages. Mr Palmer’s Singapore-based company, Zeph Investments, lodged the lawsuit under international trade law on March 28, claiming he is owed US$198,202,414,285 in damages — plus interest and costs — related to his massive iron ore project in the Pilbara. In the notice of arbitration Mr Porter – who as Federal attorney-general initially joined the Commonwealth to back Mr Palmer’s case against the WA border closure during the pandemic – is listed as the lead lawyer. Nine others are also listed on the case, including Mr Palmer’s wife Anna Palmer. Following the news of Mr Porter joining forces with the mining magnate, Premier Mark McGowan unleashed an attack on both Mr Palmer and the Liberals in parliament, labelling the mining magnate’s move the “most deplorable act of greed in Australian history”. “Clive Palmer is the greediest man in Australian history,” he continued on March 30. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also responded by taking aim at Mr Porter, who he blasted for being “a part of Clive Palmer’s operation”. “I mean, knowing Clive Palmer’s record for paying his workers, I hope Christian Porter’s asked for his money upfront. “Together at last, Palmer and Porter. Name a more iconic duo, I dare you.” Mr Porter returned to private legal practice in 2021 after resigning from Scott Morrison’s cabinet amid a storm of controversy. His departure from federal politics came after in the wake of historical rape allegations, which he denies.