Accused Kiwi fraudster remanded until new year

Hohepa Morehu-Barlow will be spending Christmas behind bars. Photo / Supplied

A New Zealander accused of defrauding Queensland taxpayers of millions of dollars will spend the holiday season in jail.

Hohepa Morehu-Barlow, 36, appeared in a Brisbane court yesterday charged with defrauding Queensland Health of A$11 million ($14.5m).

Morehu-Barlow, who worked as the organisation's financial manager, is alleged to have transferred the money to his personal account on November 17.

He appeared briefly in court yesterday and was remanded in custody until January 16, news agency AAP reported.

Lawyer Adam McGill tried to have Morehu-Barlow's attendance in court excused, saying his client was not in a fit state.

He had spent Monday night in hospital and was being assessed by mental health officers.

Mr McGill told reporters outside court his client was "entirely devastated" by the shock of being charged.

"His health is my primary concern at the moment."

The single charge represents only one of the alleged fraudulent transactions Morehu-Barlow was understood to have made.

He is accused of siphoning off A$16m ($21m) of money earmarked for charities including the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Cancer Council Queensland and the Cerebral Palsy League.

The Queensland government has frozen about A$12m of his assets.