Altered contract was 'unusual'

John Palmer. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Former Solid Energy chairman John Palmer has conceded it was unusual to make changes to an employment contract on his last day in office.

Mr Palmer ended his role with the coal company on August 18 last year and yesterday he told the commerce committee he had signed off changes to the company's former chief executive Don Elder's employment contract on his last day.

He said he had a unique relationship with Dr Elder so had not updated his contract every year and wanted to make sure it was consistent with current employment law.

"I wanted to ensure that there was nothing in the contract either from the company's end or Dr Elder's end and I very specifically instructed there should be no changes made to any of the remuneration aspects or the terms and conditions of the contract that related to his employment."