Elizabeth Quay buildings: Supreme Court issues arrest warrant for Victor Goh with ‘final chance’ to comply

A Supreme Court judge has issued an arrest warrant for businessman Victor Goh but the Elizabeth Quay developer has been given a “final chance” to comply before it takes effect. The property baron behind the EQWest apartment tower did not show up to a civil hearing on Tuesday examining the finances of D&C Corporation, the company building the skyscraper. Contractor SRG Global — which had been chasing $5 million in two disputes — wanted to question Mr Goh and sought an arrest warrant when he failed to attend. Mr Goh was not a director of D&C Corporation. An attempt by his representative Pragma Lawyers to push back Tuesday’s hearing due to a conflicting overseas medical appointment — organised after he was served the summons — failed. Justice Marcus Solomon on Friday said Mr Goh needed to “understand the seriousness of his conduct”. “The court simply cannot tolerate people ignoring (its) authority,” he said. “An acceptance of the court’s authority is fundamental to the maintenance of a civil society.” But he also said the businessman needed to be given “an opportunity … to obey the court’s order.” The warrant’s execution will be stayed until later this month when Mr Goh must appear at a further means inquiry hearing for D&C Corporation. An application for contempt will go to further directions at the same time. Mr Goh’s barrister Ben Tomasi urged the court to hold off enforcing the warrant to avoid a “tarmac arrest” at the airport when the property developer returns to Australia, adding he should be given “one final opportunity”. Justice Solomon revealed an affidavit had been submitted in the civil matter which questioned whether Mr Goh was effectively “in control” of D&C. That document claims the developer “appeared to make all final decisions” during construction of another Perth project, at Capital Square. SRG’s barrister Stephen Waddington said the ASX-listed contractor would not argue that position — rather that Mr Goh was involved in negotiations and may have awareness of D&C’s finances. ”If he’s out and about dealing with parties from which D&C Corporation may derive an income, he may be in a position to (speak) to those matters,” Mr Waddington said.