Peter Foster is reportedly seeking to get out of jail, six months before his time at the Brisbane Correctional Centre is up.

Federal Court Judge John Logan ordered to close the court on Tuesday while lawyers for the Australian conman presented legal materials relating to his plea for an early release, The Courier Mail reported.

According to the news outlet, the lawyers said the appeal is based on a “new factor” and that the stakes were “simply too high” for Foster if the appeal is heard in an open court.

Foster’s lawyer Saul Holt QC was quoted saying: “The reality for him is that the risk of any knowledge of these matters… is likely to have profound consequences.”