Ulverstone’s Partners in Professional Outsourcing wound up

A Tasmanian businesswoman and former cafe owner has wound up her North West based labour hire company after it incurred significant debts. Its director said it had been a difficult few years.

Jane Howarth, director of Partners in Professional Outsourcing Pty Ltd and former co-owner of Pedro's Takeaway Ulverstone. Picture: Facebook

A Tasmanian businesswoman has wound up her North-West Coast based labour hire firm after it incurred more than a million dollars worth of debt, most of it in unpaid tax to the Australian Taxation Office, according to documents filed with the corportate regulator ASIC.

West Ulverstone woman Jane Howarth founded Partners in Professional Outsourcing Pty Ltd (PIPO) in April 2017. It offered recruitment and labour hire services, payroll outsourcing, contractor management, bookkeeping and HR solutions.

The company was wound up on December 21 last year after incurring significant debts.

A new document lodged with ASIC has shed new light on the scale of the money owed, including a $1m-plus tax bill.

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According to Ms Howarth’s report on company activities and property, lodged on January 11, the company owes $1,399,611.52.

A total of $1,049,496 is owed to the ATO, consisting of $31,134 in unpaid employee benefits – which may include her own – and $1,018,362 in unpaid tax.

Major creditors include Launceston insurance broker Intas Insurance, owed $309,690; Launceston accountants Reed Walker, owed $3,245; Bunnings Group, owed $2,044.68; the Tasmanian Commissioner of State Revenue, owed $1,438.55; and Riverside training organisation Learning Partners, owed $2,246.

Balanced against that debt is $75,700.38 owed to PIPO for a variety of services rendered.

The company owns a vehicle worth $46,500, which has a $36,696 loan against it.

Liquidator Michael Slaven, of Canberra firm Slaven Torline, has disclaimed that onerous property.

Mr Slaven is in the process of preparing a statutory report to creditors in which he will advise whether any are likely to see a dividend on their debts.

When contacted by the Mercury, Ms Howarth said she had sold PIPO’s business assets.

“We were able to secure a great transfer, ensuring continuity for those involved,” she said.

Ms Howarth confirmed she had also sold her stake in Pedro’s Takeaway Ulverstone. It’s understood this occurred in mid-2022.

“I can confirm I have divested away from PIPO and Pedro’s, largely to gain some much-needed life balance,” Ms Howarth said.

“The decision on PIPO is also due to difficult trading conditions over the past two years.

“I feel it was the right decision for my personal health, family and staff.”