Bathla Group owes known creditors about $3.4 billion, including $3.08 billion to secured lenders, according to preliminary figures presented by administrators at the company's first creditors' meeting on Friday. The group also owes $145 million to the Australian Taxation Office, $42 million in land tax and $130 million to other unsecured creditors, plus about $4 million in employee wages and superannuation.

Administrators met payroll on September 3 but said there was insufficient cash to pay wages on an ongoing basis. About 21 employees and subcontractors have been stood down, with the situation expected to be reviewed early next week. The figures remain preliminary, Lin Lin reports for ABC business (AU).