QLD real estate agent aunt of Hollywood star Margot Robbie ‘permanently disqualified’

The aunt of Hollywood actor Margot Robbie has been “disqualified permanently” from the Queensland property industry after an audit exposed “serious breaches” of trust accounts.

The Gold Coast real estate agent aunt of Hollywood actor Margot Robbie has been disqualified from the property industry after an audit exposed “serious breaches” of trust accounts.

Lyn Patricia Robbie was “disqualified permanently” by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) after an investigation uncovered “dishonest and inappropriate dealings” over a “protracted” time at her Gold Coast property management company.

Prior to the QCAT disciplinary proceedings, liquidators were appointed to examine the books of Robbie Robbie & Associates, which held money in trust accounts for 32 tenants and landlords, including companies linked to developer Ron Bakir, accountant Scott McMurtrie and cult 1980s artist Ken Done.

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The company was based at 9 Beach Rd, Surfers Paradise. Photo: Supplied Photo: Supplied

Lyn Robbie was the sole director of the company when it was placed into administration on April 9, 2019, while her husband Wayne Robbie worked as an agent for the business.

Wayne’s brother Doug Robbie, the father of the Oscar nominee, had also worked with Wayne in another real estate company at the time.

Margot Robbie had no involvement in the running of Robbie Robbie & Associates.

Lyn Robbie (left) was recently disqualified from the real estate industry and is the aunt of Hollywood actor Margot Robbie, who had nothing to do with the running of her aunt’s property management company on the Gold Coast. Left image is from Gold Coast Bulletin socials; right image is Margot Robbie at premiere of “The Suicide Squad” (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP)

At the time, Morgan Lane of Worrells said in a report to creditors that the company had “self-reported” to the Queensland Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and appointed an external forensic accountant after noticing irregularities in its trust accounts.

The company’s ABN was cancelled in April last year, and it was deregistered by ASIC in September.

In a decision handed down by QCAT member Simone Matthews on April 13 and published yesterday, it was revealed there had been full admissions made on six breaches.

“Each ground comprises of breaches of conduct by Lyn Patricia Robbie over a protracted period of time involving dishonesty and inappropriate dealings,” the decision said.

“The Chief executive has provided comprehensive materials including submissions, auditing reports, bank statements, ledgers, statements and other supporting evidence which clearly demonstrates that significant and protracted professional breaches have occurred including dishonesty and inappropriate dealings.”

The tribunal heard that $299,044.40 was paid out by the department to offset the 25 claims against Robbie and her company.

Member Matthews also noted that Robbie was an “ageing woman that at the times of the inappropriate and unprofessional conduct was suffering from a significant number of health and mental health concerns which significantly affected her ability to perform her duties”.

“Lyn Patricia Robbie did not personally misappropriate funds from the trust account for her own financial gains,” the decision said.

It found that Robbie did not intend to be dishonest, but that the dishonesty occurred as a “direct consequence of her fractured mental health and physical health”, which was exacerbated due to her unwillingness to seek professional guidance and support.

It was also noted that Robbie had been remorseful throughout the investigation, and had assisted “without hindrance”.

Lyn Robbie in a social photo taken back in 2013 on the Gold Coast

However, the tribunal noted that Robbie’s dishonest conduct only came to light following an audit and inquiries from concerned homeowners.

“But for the audit, and Lyn Patricia Robbie’s failing health, how long would she have been willing to continue the dishonest dealings to the detriment of those who trusted her to protect and serve their best interests,” the decision said.

It was also revealed that Robbie had made reimbursements from her personal superannuation account but they were “only a fraction of the total”.

“However, this deposit was made without the permission of the co-account holder amounting to additional dishonesty,” the decision said.

Robbie was found not to be a suitable person to hold a real estate licence and was also fined $10,000.

Originally published as QLD real estate agent aunt of Hollywood star Margot Robbie ‘permanently disqualified’