He studied theology at King's College, London, in 1971, and a post-graduate diploma at Durham University four years later.
[1] In 1993, Palmer returned to parish ministry in the Newcastle suburb of Belmont and subsequently at Muswellbrook.
During his tenure as bishop, the diocese faced significant financial problems, after the Supreme Court of New South Wales found that the diocese was liable to repay a $40 million loan advanced to a diocesan development fund to fund two schools after it defaulted on the loan.
[9] Palmer suffered a heart attack after ceremonially walking from Bathurst to Dubbo to begin his ministry.
[3] Palmer had to sell further property to fund compensation schemes for child sexual abuse victims.