New lawyers acting for New Zealander Joel Barlow, accused of defrauding Queensland Health of more than NZ$20.4 million, have been given one month to get full instructions from him.
Barrister David Shepherd told Brisbane District Court on Monday his client had only been granted access to state-funded legal representation on Friday.
He said he and his instructing solicitors would now need at least one month to take full instructions from Barlow, 36, about how the matter was to proceed.
Mr Shepherd said they would also use the time to ensure the Crown had provided them with all relevant documents.
Barlow, also known as Hohepa Morehu-Barlow, was arrested in December. He is alleged to have defrauded the government department while working there between 2007 and 2011.
The Queensland government has already received permission to sell off his inner-city waterfront unit and three luxury cars, among other assets.
The matter will be mentioned again on July 30.
NZN