Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
Media Release
15 Feb 2010
Lockyer Valley store faces court for allegedly
underpaying worker $17,000
The Fair Work Ombudsman has launched a prosecution against the operators of a
Lockyer Valley store for allegedly underpaying a worker more than $17,000.
Facing court is Aussie Little Auction Houses Pty Ltd, which operated a retail fruit
and vegetable store on the Warrego Highway at Plainland, east of Gatton.
The store is no longer trading.
The Fair Work Ombudsman is also prosecuting Aussie Little Auction Houses part-
owner Francis Eamon Weston, of Marburg, who managed the store.
Documents lodged in the Federal Magistrates Court in Brisbane allege Mr Weston
was centrally involved in the company underpaying a casual shop assistant
$17,218 between November, 2007 and January, 2009.
It is alleged the shop assistant was paid a flat rate of $12 for all hours worked
when she was entitled to more than $18 an hour.
Aussie Little Auction Houses allegedly also breached workplace laws by failing to
issue the shop assistant with payslips.
Fair Work inspectors discovered the alleged underpayments when they
investigated a complaint from the worker.
Fair Work Ombudsman Queensland Director Julie Wade says the decision to
prosecute was made because of the significant amount involved and the
employer’s failure to rectify the matter.
The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges the company and Mr Weston committed two
underpayment breaches of workplace laws and one breach related to payslips.
The maximum penalty per breach is $33,000 for the company and $6600 for Mr
Weston for the underpayment matters and $5500 for the company and $1100 for
Mr Weston for the payslips matter.
The Fair Work Ombudsman is also seeking a Court Order for back-payment of the
money allegedly owed.
The Fair Work Ombudsman promotes harmonious, productive and co-operative
workplaces. It also monitors compliance and investigates breaches of national
workplace laws.
Employers or employees seeking assistance should contact the Fair Work Infoline
Media: Craig Bildstien, 0419 818 484. Ryan Pedler, 0434 365 924.
NEWS 
