Labor MP Will Fowles ‘didn’t pay workers’

A Victorian Liberal MP has called for an investigation into Labor member Will Fowles over his pub’s demise in 2015, with accusations staff weren’t paid entitlements.

New Victorian Labor MP Will Fowles. His heritage pub went into receivership in central Queensland in 2015.

A Brighton politician has accused a rookie Labor MP of failing to pay workers’ entitlements when his heritage pub went into receivership in central Queensland.

James Newbury has tonight asked Industrial Relations Minister Tim Pallas to investigate Burwood MP Will Fowles’ time as owner and operator of Rockhampton’s Heritage Hotel in 2015.

“Significant trading losses began to mount, and suddenly, the pub locked its doors and the business went into receivership,” he said in parliament.

“The closure not only affected the township, but also the six permanent staff and ten casual workers.”

Mr Newbury said reports at the time had indicated that outstanding wages were paid but staff were unlikely to receive any other entitlements after the pub sold for $1.5 million.

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Receivers FTI consulting took control of the property but it is understood they did not have oversight over employee entitlements at the time.

“I call on the Minister to abide by the Premier’s commitment to ‘make sure all Victorians get paid properly’, and commence an investigation into the former publican — the now Member for Burwood — for reported underpayment of staff entitlements,” Mr Newbury said.

The Herald Sun has contacted the Andrews Government for a response.