Another so called employment agent Kevin John Sims who operated Boomerang New Century Models at Surfers Paradise was also prosecuted by the Office of Fair Trading in 2003 for ripping off aspiring models and actors. Sims was fined $10,000 and ordered to pay $8,193 in compensation to his clients.
Thankfully my department doesn’t receive many complaints about non-existent jobs, but I can assure you when it does, it investigates to establish whether there are grounds to take appropriate enforcement action.
Not all complaints about this type of conduct fall within the scope of legislation administered by the Office of Fair Trading and matters are referred to other agencies where appropriate.
In 2009 the Office of Fair Trading received a complaint about an employer who advertised for apprentices in the building industry which required a non-refundable payment of $550 to attend a four day course. No documents or receipts were provided to the applicants and they never received any training or employment following payment. The matter was referred to the Queensland Police Service which charged the employer with fraud. The matter is still before the courts.
I would encourage consumers to notify the Office of Fair Trading if they believe any job advertisements are misleading particularly when jobs are promised and don’t materialise.
The Member for Mermaid Beach can be assured that the Bligh Government takes these matters very seriously and my department will continue to prosecute those who are found to be doing the wrong thing.
