Deceased state Labor MP Fiona Richardson’s husband and mother feud over property
THE mother of recently deceased state Labor MP Fiona Richardson claims her son-in-law threatened to evict her from her home “the day after Fiona dies”.
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THE mother of recently deceased state Labor MP Fiona Richardson claims her son-in-law threatened to evict her from her home “the day after Fiona dies”.
Documents lodged in the Supreme Court suggest that in Ms Richardson’s final days the relationship between her mother, Veronica Power, and her husband, ALP powerbroker Stephen Newnham, took a toxic turn.
The pair are now locked in a bitter dispute over a $2.8 million Alphington property where they both still live.
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Mr Newnham, who was married to Ms Richardson for 17 years, claims Ms Power has no registered interest in the property.
Earlier this year Mr Newnham applied to the Supreme Court to lift a caveat Ms Power placed on the property following her daughter’s sudden death in 2017.
In a counterclaim filed with the Supreme Court last month Ms Power claims that despite some concerns she transferred ownership of her own home in Forest Hill to her daughter and son-in law in November 2013 for $650,000 and invested $600,000 of that money to build a new home and separate accommodation for herself on the Alphington plot, including landscaping, installing water tanks and a fountain in the central courtyard.
Ms Power claims the agreement was part of a deal that would see her live with her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren for the rest of her life or until she moved into a nursing home.
The home was completed in January, 2015, and Ms Power claims Mr Newnham later made a “substantial profit” selling her old home for $1.19 million.
Ms Power claims her relationship with Mr Newnham soured soon after Ms Richardson was diagnosed with terminal cancer in September, 2016, when they started to argue about whether the couple’s children should be told about her condition.
“The arguments worsened to the point where in early 2017, (Mr Newnham) said to (Ms Power): ‘The day after Fiona dies, the next day, you will be out of this house’,” Ms Power’s writ alleges.
When Ms Power asked about the agreement they had for her to live there she claims Mr Newnham responded: “With Fiona dead all bets will be off and you will have to deal with me and I want you out … Your sons can take care of you.”
During her daughter’s final stay in hospital Ms Power alleges Mr Newnham ordered staff to cease his wife’s pain medication to ensure she was lucid enough to sign some documents, which he refused to reveal.
Ms Power claims she and her son-in-law continue to have frequent arguments and cannot continue to “cohabit harmoniously”.
As no offer of compensation and reimbursement has been made Ms Power has asked that the property be held in trust for both parties; be sold, and the proceeds shared appropriately; or that Mr Newnham be ordered to repay her investment plus interest.
Mr Newnham declined to comment when contacted by the Herald Sun.
It is understood a defence to Ms Powers claims will be filed shortly.