Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
Media Release
13 Oct 2010
Brisbane director fined over underpayment of
workers
The director of a former Brisbane car rental company has been fined $110,000
over the underpayment of seven workers, following a prosecution by the Fair
Work Ombudsman.
Nathan Conn, of Northgate, received the fine in the Federal Magistrates Court in
Brisbane.
Conn was the manager and sole director of Enterprise Car Rental Group Pty Ltd,
which traded as Abel Car Rental at a number of locations throughout Brisbane,
before the company went into liquidation.
Federal Magistrate Michael Burnett imposed the fine after finding Conn was
involved in Enterprise Car Rental Group committing 28 breaches of workplace
laws by underpaying seven workers a total of $61,423 between February, 2006
and April, 2008.
Federal Magistrate Burnett ordered that part of Conn’s fine be paid to the
underpaid workers.
The underpaid employees, who performed various roles, were underpaid their
minimum hourly rate, annual leave entitlements, superannuation, meal break
pay, termination pay and penalty rates for weekend and public holiday work.
Conn was also involved in the failure to pay compensation to one employee after
the workplace agreement he was employed under failed a fairness test.
Fair Work Ombudsman Executive Director Michael Campbell says the case sends
a message that individual directors involved in blatantly underpaying employees
and failing to rectify the situation will be held to account.
“We will not hesitate to take court action to protect workers’ rights,” he said.
“Successful prosecutions such as this also benefit employers who are complying
with workplace laws because it helps them to compete on a level playing field.”
The Fair Work Ombudsman could not prosecute Enterprise Car Rental Group
because the company is in liquidation. The Agency’s prosecutions against former
Enterprise Car Rental Group senior managers Tony Hinai and George Halliday
were discontinued following mediation.
Employers or employees seeking assistance should contact the Fair Work Infoline
Media inquiries:
Ryan Pedler, Senior Adviser Media & Stakeholder Relations. (03) 9954
2561, 0411 430 902. ryan.pedler@fwo.gov.au
NEWS 
