Drug trafficker’s latest bid at labour hire licence blocked

A Yarra Valley horticulture provider has lost its labour-hire licence after a convicted drug trafficker became a director of the company.

A Yarra Valley horticulture provider has had its labour-hire licence cancelled after a known drug trafficker, who was previously refused a labour-hire licence in Victoria, became a director of the company.

Nico Keat became the sole director labour hire provider Ung Services Pty Ltd in November last year, but the Labour Hire Authority wasn’t notified of the change.

The company also failed to notify the LHA that a relevant person for the licensee was no longer fit and proper as required under sections 43 and 44 of the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2018.

Court records reveal Mr Keat had a methylamphetamine trafficking conviction recorded in September 2020 when he appeared before Melbourne Magistrates Court.

Before taking over Ung Services Pty Ltd, Mr Keat had applied for a labour hire licence for Amatak Labour Services Pty Ltd.

The LHA discovered in its assessment of this application that Mr Keat had been found guilty of 12 offences relating to drug trafficking, theft, failure to answer bail, and suspected proceeds of crime and stolen goods.

The LHA determined Mr Keat was not a fit and proper person, and subsequently refused Amatak Labour Services’ labour hire licence application in August 2021.

Labour Hire Commissioner, Steve Dargavel said: “Dishonesty and illegal phoenix activity are not welcome in Victoria’s labour hire industry and will be found out.

“The job of the Labour Hire Authority is to make sure that Victorians can have trust and confidence in those who are responsible for the wages and safety of Victorian labour hire workers.”