Queensland Nickel's former chief financial officer, Daren Wolfe, has told Brisbane's Federal Court all expenses over $10,000 had to be approved by Clive Palmer, even after he quit as a director.

Mr Wolfe also told the court that by 2015, Mr Palmer was approving all expenditure over $500.

Mr Palmer has previously said a joint venture agreement had given him the ability to give instruction on financial matters.

Mr Wolfe told the court that Queensland Nickel's owner, Mr Palmer, had an active involvement in financial decisions.

There was an approvals process in place that meant expenditure needed to be reviewed by Mr Palmer, managing director Clive Mensink and Mr Palmer's son Michael before going ahead.

Tom Sullivan QC for special purpose liquidators PPB Advisory asked Mr Wolfe if it was common for Mr Palmer to "dictate" how Queensland Nickel spent its money.

"I don't think dictate is the right word — there was an approvals process," Mr Wolfe said.

Daren Wolfe said financial reports were prepared for Mr Palmer. ( ABC News: Andrew Kos )

The court also heard weekly and monthly financial statements were prepared in the lead up to the company's collapse and Mr Palmer liked to have some reports delivered in hard copy because of fears of espionage.

The refinery at Yabulu in Townsville went into voluntary administration in January with debts totalling $300 million.

The Federal Government is pursuing around $70 million it paid in workers entitlements.

The court was told Mr Palmer was involved in decisions to delay payments to creditors, including the millions owed to freight company Aurizon.

It was revealed that by late 2015 Queensland Nickel's cash flow problems were hindering its ability to pay creditors.

The court also heard Mr Palmer and Mr Mensink discussed redundancies as early as November last year.

Mr Palmer and former managing director of operations, Ian Ferguson, have also been summonsed to appear.