The labour hire company at the centre of a controversy surrounding alleged bikie threats is still awaiting a payment of about $2 million from the lead contractor of the South Australian government's Torrens to Darlington project, a court has heard.
The company, Career Boss Australia, had its contract to supply workers on the $15.4 billion South Road upgrade suspended on October 18 after it was revealed in the media it was the subject of a civil dispute in the Supreme Court.
That claim, lodged by businessman Robert Cammarano, alleges that bikie Jamie Brown "coerced the transfer" of shares in the company, without Mr Cammarano's authority, by making "express threats of physical harm".
Mr Cammarano's claim also alleges other shareholders were threatened to transfer their shares.
Brown is yet to file a defence but has reportedly told 7News he had "never threatened any shareholder and allegations to the contrary are simply false".
At a hearing on Friday, barrister Tim Kentish, for Mr Cammarano, sought a freeze on a bank account connected to Career Boss Australia.
He said the company was still expecting a payment "around the $2 million mark" from John Holland, the lead contractor on the Torrens to Darlington project.
"That was the vast bulk of the revenue that's been coming in to this company — there's not a lot else," Mr Kentish said of the South Road contract.
"There's a final payment coming in, that's due to come in from John Holland for work performed, they pay in arrears, in the order of a couple million dollars."
Subpoena sought for recording of meeting
Mr Kentish also asked for the judge to subpoena a recording he alleges police have obtained of a meeting between "various parties" where the alleged "expropriation of the shares" was discussed.
A Crown solicitor, appearing on behalf of the acting commissioner of SA Police, asked this request to be adjourned so police could consider the "scope of the orders and whether or not to agree".
Associate Justice Graham Dart agreed to defer consideration of the subpoena request.
He also ordered a temporary freeze on the bank account connected to Career Boss Australia.
Outside court, Mr Cammarano said "we had a good win today" but did not comment further.
The matter was adjourned until November 16.
'No payments being made', govt says
The case surrounding Career Boss Australia and involvement in South Australia's largest-ever infrastructure project has triggered an escalating political crisis for the Malinauskas government.
Mr Kentish notified Transport Minister Joe Szakacs's chief of staff and Child Protection Minister Alice Rolls about the allegations at a meeting on September 11.
Mr Szakacs's office passed on the claims to the South Road project team, which investigated the claims.
"The shareholders of Career Boss were looked at, as I am advised, by the Torrens to Darlington alliance and they had no red flags," Mr Szakacs told parliament on Wednesday.
The government asked the alliance to suspend Career Boss's contract when the civil case was reported by the Sunday Mail on October 18.
Lawyer Dominic Agresta, representing a listed shareholder of Career Boss, said the contract had "not been cancelled, it's been suspended".
"There's no evidence that it's going to be cancelled," Mr Agresta said.
"There is still an opportunity or a possibility of being renewed once this matter is resolved."
Associate Jusstice Dart replied: "Possibly, given the publicity, the government might be a little shy about it."
Police Minister Michael Brown, speaking at an unrelated press conference roughly an hour after the court hearing, said the Career Boss contract "remains suspended at the moment".
"There’s no reason to lift that suspension," he said.
"The important thing to note is it’s currently suspended – there are no payments being made to that company."
