FED: Chase for Skase continues even in death

AAP General News (Australia)
08-06-2001
FED: Chase for Skase continues even in death

By Doug Conway, Senior Correspondent

SYDNEY, Aug 6 AAP - The chase for Skase assets will continue despite the death of the
fugitive financier vilified as Australia's public enemy number one.

Christopher Skase, 52, succumbed to cancer at his home in exile on the Spanish island
of Majorca, where he fled 10 years ago facing criminal charges over the collapse of his
$A1.5 billion Qintex empire.

The charges will be withdrawn, but the federal government vowed today to continue hunting
Skase's assets to help creditors who are owed $177 million.

"There is a legitimate public interest in that, yes," Prime Minister John Howard told reporters.

Attorney-General Daryl Williams admitted Skase's use of overseas tax havens and company
structures made the search difficult.

But he said the government remained "committed" to various recovery proceedings.

Mr Williams said the government would examine whether Mrs Pixie Skase - reportedly
distraught at her husband's death - could now be held legally responsible.

"That will depend on further investigation," Mr Williams said.

Family and Community Services Minister Amanda Vanstone said she extended her sympathy
to Skase's family but did not regret the government's efforts to return him to Australia.

"It's vitally important that young Australians grow up recognising that being wealthy
doesn't put you above the law," Senator Vanstone said in a statement.

"It's equally important for business people to realise that if they flee Australia
to evade the justice system, we will not let them live in peace overseas.

"Any stress caused to Mr Skase by our pursuit of him could have been bought to an end
at any time by him voluntarily returning to Australia."

Skase's bankruptcy trustee Max Donnelly conceded it would be more difficult to recover
assets without calling Skase to the witness box.

"We lose one line of inquiry," Mr Donnelly said, "being that I always hoped to be able
to examine Skase and put him in the witness box and find answers to a lot of questions."

A warrant was still out for the arrest of Skase's son-in-law, Tony Larkins, Mr Donnelly said.

"The reality is we've conducted examinations of various bankers, lawyers, shipping
companies, insurance agents. We know what assets have been moved - that story hasn't changed.

We know where they are.

"And, you know, there are currently proceedings on overseas."

Opposition Leader Kim Beazley backed the government's stance.

"When anyone dies, it is a sad thing," Mr Beazley said.

"But the law has to be pursued too and there is a requirement, given the fact that
there are outstanding creditors, to examine the estate to see what can be picked up."

Skase's doctor, Felipe Nicolau, said the former highflying media tycoon had been suffering
an inoperable lung tumour and stomach cancer which had spread to his pancreas.

He said "curiously" Skase had not been in much pain in his final weeks.

Spanish authorities had suspended deportation proceedings against Skase after an independent
review of his medical condition.

At the time of his admission to hospital in July doctors said Skase had lost more than
10kg in three months and weighed less than 55kg.

Journalist Humphrey Carter, speaking from Majorca, said Skase's family was devastated
by his death.

"Pixie had it harder than most, sort of getting used to the fact that Christopher Skase
wouldn't be around much longer," he told the Seven network.

"They've known for the past couple of months that the future was pretty restricted," he said.

Majorca Daily Bulletin editor Jason Moore said the family was angry and bitter that
Australians refused to believe Skase was terminally ill.

"Despite their grief and sorrow, they were angry because there are so many people in
Australia that doubted Skase was sick," he told ABC radio.

He said Skase's daughter Amanda had called the newspaper to lodge a funeral notice.

"I can't repeat what she said on the phone, but it was along the lines that now they
will know that he was sick - they've got him in a coffin, basically," he said.

Family friend Peter Sawyer said Pixie Skase would most likely remain at the family's
Majorca home rather than return to Australia.

He dismissed rumours Skase would be buried in Australia, but said there was a good
chance a memorial service would be held here.

AAP dc/sb

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