Liquidator says Beenleigh company Workers First abandoned

A liquidator has been brought in to investigate the people behind a Brisbane company which went into liquidation, owing employees $20,000 in entitlements.

Investigations into an abandoned professional workplace and human rights advocacy company in Brisbane’s southside are ongoing, with employees owed at least $20,000 in entitlements so far.

Workers First Pty Ltd (600 518 278) in Beenleigh recently entered into voluntarily liquidation by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), owing employees $20,681.50 in entitlements.

Mitchell Herrett of RSM Australia was appointed liquidator on November 9, 2023 and said Workers First appeared to have been abandoned by its former directors.

A historical ASIC search of the company’s records found that Brian Anthony John Newman was a previous director from July 3, 2014-October 30, 2017, before Danielle Lee Newman was director from September 29, 2017-April 20, 2021.

Danielle Lee Newman and Kristina May Kirshaw were listed as the company’s shareholders.

Mr Herrett said from conversations with former employees, the company appears to have ceased trading in late 2020.

Mitchell Herrett of RSM Australia was appointed liquidator on November 9, 2023 and said Workers First appears to have been abandoned by its former directors. Picture: Workers First Beenleigh/Facebook

“In such cases where companies are abandoned, the ASIC can instigate the liquidation of the company so former employees can begin making claims under the claims under the Fair Entitlements Guarantee Scheme (FEG), which requires a company to be in liquidation before employees can make a claim to the FEG scheme,” Mr Herrett said.

“I am aware that there were two employees at the time the company ceased trading who are owed unpaid wages, super and entitlements.

“The employees have confirmed there may have been other contractors or employees at the business, and my investigations are continuing to identify any further such parties that may be owed money.

“The known employee entitlements at this stage is circa $20,000.

“My investigations will continue in respect of identifying any further debts owed by the company.

“If anyone believes they are a creditor of the company or have had dealings with the company, they are encouraged to get into contact with my office.

“I will now be liaising with the Fair Entitlements Guarantee Scheme (FEG) to assist the employees receiving any entitlements they may be eligible to claim under the scheme.”

Workers First was established in 2000 to help staff with workplace issues, payroll disputes and employment social and welfare matters on a pro-bono basis.

“I understand the company assisted customers with lodging Fair Work claims in respect of unfair dismissal, unpaid entitlements etc,” Mr Herrett said.

“My investigations into the trading history of the company and its failure will be reported to creditors within three months of the liquidation.

“Investigations into the former directors of the company are on-going.

“The company was incorporated on 3 July 2014; however, I am unaware when the business operations had commenced.”