Truck Repair Group in liquidation owing $3.8m but says it is doing nothing illegal by still operating with directors’ children in charge

A nationwide heavy vehicle repair group, with businesses from Sydney to Cairns, is in liquidation owing $3.8m – but is still being operated by the same family. They say they have done nothing wrong. Full list of creditors:

A nationwide truck repair group with businesses from Sydney to Cairns is in liquidation owing $3.8m – but is still being operated by the same family.

Suppliers, contractors and lenders in three states are owed money by Gold Coast-based Truck Repair Group, which went into voluntary liquidation on December 10.

TRG’s head office is in Arundel and it also has bases in Sydney, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns. The organisation says it is doing nothing wrong.

The company is solely directed by Hope Island man Scott Andrew Hunter, 53, while its sole shareholder is Natalie Hunter, who has the same registered address.

The company has traded as Truck Repair Group (NQ) and six other variations of the TRG name, as well as FYI Parts and Accessories.

A report from liquidator Nick Combis of Vincents said the business was sold for an undisclosed sum to a new company, TRG Group of Companies, on December 9, the day before the liquidation.

A company behind Arundel-based Truck Repair Group is in liquidation with more than $3m in debts.

It appears the “proudly family owned and operated” group remains that way despite its debts – with the new company solely directed by the Hunters’ daughter Jasmine Hunter, 24, who has the same address as her parents.

The sole shareholder of the new company, which was only created four days before the liquidation, is the Hunters’ son Joshua Hunter, also of Hope Island.

The Australian Taxation Office is the largest creditor, with a claim of $2.74m, while Sydney-based Truckparts Factory is listed as being owed $191,242. Queensland Treasury has claimed $85,482.

Joshua Hunter, Jasmine Hunter and Scott Hunter

Mr Hunter said the business was “repurchased legally”.

“The business is still going, it is TRG group of companies,” he said.

“There is still 190 staff employed and everybody’s still got all of their entitlements and still working and still going.

“I am family businessman … nobody will speak ill about us truthfully.

“I hold my head very, very high and very proud in public and I have nothing to hide.”

Mr Hunter did not want the Gold Coast Bulletin to cover the liquidation this week.

“Write about it in six months when everything’s finished, go your hardest,” he said.

Joshua and Jasmine Hunter have frequently appeared in social media posts for the family business since before the liquidation.

TRG’s social media accounts feature multiple TRG-branded vehicles including numerous utes, a caravan and a boat.

A TRG-branded boat.

Jasmine and Scott Hunter Truck Repair Group.

One creditor, owed a five-figure sum by the company, said he felt sorry for smaller businesses owed more money.

“There are a lot of businesses who have had a bad Christmas,” he said.

“I can’t understand how they’ve got away with it.

“Under all the definitions of a phoenix in any dictionary anywhere, that’s what’s happened.

“As much as they’re Gold Coast-based, this is going to have an impact in Cairns, Townsville and Mackay as well.”

Liquidator Mr Combis said investigations into the sale of the business and the company’s other affairs were ongoing and could not comment further.

Originally published as Truck Repair Group in liquidation owing $3.8m but says it is doing nothing illegal by still operating with directors’ children in charge