Queensland company accused of bribery in Nauru says charge should be dropped as fair trial ‘impossible’

Getax Australia has been accused of bribing Nauruan officials over phosphate mining contracts on the tiny Pacific state. Photograph: Rémi Chauvin/The Guardian

A Queensland exporter accused of systematically bribing Nauruan politicians for favourable mining deals on the Pacific island has applied to have a charge of foreign bribery permanently stayed, arguing “a fair trial is impossible” and accusing Australian authorities of mishandling the investigation and losing key evidence.

Court documents obtained by the Guardian reveal that lawyers for Getax Australia Pty Ltd have applied for a permanent stay. If successful, it would effectively permanently halt the company’s prosecution.