Geelong builder Joshua Finch’s company liquidated over tax debt

The construction company of a Geelong AFLW coach and four-time local league best and fairest winner is no more.

Joshua Finch is well known in local football circles. Picture: Mike Dugdale.

The building business of a local football legend has gone into liquidation owing almost $50,000 to the tax office.

Joshua Finch said the “ludicrous” length of warranties that builders must provide was a factor.

Mr Finch is an assistant coach of the Geelong Cats’ AFLW team and has played more than 300 matches for Modewarre, in the process winning four Les Ash Medals as the league’s best and fairest player.

Finch Builders Pty Ltd, of which he was the sole director, was registered a decade ago and Mr Finch said the company ceased operations about two years ago.

“As a residential builder you have to provide a warranty on a construction for 10 years and that was the reason why I wanted to get out of it,” he said.

“What other industry in the world has to fulfil a legal obligation for 10 years? It is absolutely ludicrous.”

The company owes $48,899 to the Australian Taxation Office, according to Australian Securities and Investments Commission documents.

Joshua Finch playing for Modewarre. Picture: Mark Wilson

Shane Cremin of insolvency firm Rodgers Reidy was appointed liquidator on September 30.

“It was the right time to get out of the industry,” Mr Finch said.

“I made the decision about three years ago to get out.

“I had contract obligations to fulfil, and I finished those contracts and that was probably two years ago.

“It was definitely the right time to exit the market for various reasons”.

Mr Finch said post-Covid, with the rising cost of materials and fixed price contracts, it was a blessing that he had already made the decision to leave the industry.

Although placing the business into liquidation was a hard decision to make, he said.

“The minimum liabilities and overheads with registrations, insurance and ongoing legal fees, it wasn’t sustainable to keep the business operating,” he said.

“We’re very pleased we were able to fulfil all our contracts and make the decision without owing any money to any employees, subcontractors or suppliers, and we’re proud of the work we have done, but unfortunately been forced into this decision.”

Originally published as Geelong builder Joshua Finch’s company liquidated over tax debt