A former LNP president who misused $500,000 in Morrison government grant money is ordered to pay costs after ousting a business partner who expressed concerns, a federal judge rules.
Green Day Energy received $5.5 million in federal funding in 2022 to create low-emissions energy made from weeds.
David Hutchinson had launched a "hopeless defence which had no chance of success" when he was accused of removing Bradley Carswell from the board of Green Day Energy and appointing administrators without the power to do so, Justice Robert Derrington found.In the dying days of the Morrison Liberal government, Green Day Energy received a $5.5 million grant to create a low-emission energy from the prickly acacia weed, commonly found throughout north-east Australia.
Mr Hutchinson claimed this was done to accrue interest for the company, but the judge said the main effect was to reduce the amount of interest paid by Stephen Hutchinson and his wife.Justice Derrington said there was "no valid reason for Green Day Energy funds to be used in this matter" and that the funds in the account did not earn interest.The first was a $36,000 Nissan Navara that Mr Hutchinson bought for Green Day Energy but was registered in Mr Hutchinson's name.
In August last year Mr Hutchinson began discussions with administrators, again without the knowledge of Mr Carswell and appointed them to take control of the company in September.
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