Clive Palmer questioned over legal action

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Authority has asked Clive Palmer's embattled Queensland Nickel if it wants to continue legal action over a pipeline running from its Townsville refinery into the reef.

Queensland Nickel was told in 2014 it could no longer use the pipeline, which runs into a world heritage area, to pump excess water from overflowing ponds but has challenged the decision in court.

But the company has been placed into administration following the collapse of nickel prices and the authority has written to administrators asking whether they want the proceedings to continue.