Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Trade, upon notice, on 14 October 2011:

(1) Is the Minister aware of the case history between Austrade Nagoya and Mr Mark Eather formerly of Jolly Roger Exports Pty Ltd, a successful and world renowned sustainable seafood export business that was destroyed following dealings with a phantom company (Yamaichi Tsusho Ltd) introduced to Mr Eather by Austrade Nagoya management, Mr Ian Brazier and Mr Takehiro Yoshimoto.

(2) Is the Minister aware that Mr Eather has been left with substantial debts, the loss of his business and professional reputation, as well as considerable personal difficulties, as a direct result of Austrade Nagoya insisting he do business with a phantom company and person using a false name.

(3) Can an explanation be provided as to why the department is unable to provide any documentation of correspondence between Austrade and Mr Kasamatsu of Yamaichi Tsusho Ltd prior to their endorsement of Mr Kasamatsu.

(4) On what grounds did Austrade Nagoya recommend business dealings with Mr Kasamatsu of Yamaichi Tsusho Ltd, in which it asserted the company is 'one of our good customers' and Mr Kasamatsu 'is [a] trustworthy business man and [Austrade] enjoy good relationship with him [sic]'.

(5) Can an explanation be provided as to why Austrade Nagoya sought basic company information from Mr Kasamatsu (regarding the name and address of his company, his position, year of company establishment, and the company's capital stock, turnover and the nature of its business) 2 months after recommending his customer status to Mr Eather.

(6) (a) What was Messrs Brazier and Yoshimoto's tenure at Austrade Nagoya; and (b) when did they commence and end their management role at Austrade Nagoya.

(7) When and why was the Austrade Nagoya office closed.

(8) Were performance audits of Austrade Nagoya ever conducted; if so, can copies of all the audit results and performance assessments be provided.

(9) Was any investigation conducted of Austrade's endorsement of Mr Kasamatsu and Yamaichi Tsusho Ltd; if so, can a copy of the investigation report be provided; if not, why not and who made the decision not to investigate.

(10) (a) When was Yamaichi Tsusho Ltd (Suite 405, 0-31, Yamada-cho, Kaga-shi, Ishikawa-ken, Japan 922-0413) registered and consequently deregistered as an Austrade trading partner; and (b) why was it deregistered as an Austrade trading partner.

(11) Who were the directors on Yamaichi Tsusho Ltd's board.

(12) Is it common practice for Austrade to require Australian business owners and operators to enter into business dealings with companies or persons unknown to Austrade, and can a copy be provided of any guidelines or requirements that govern the activities of Austrade employees regarding their obligation to do due diligence on any company registered as an Austrade business partner.

(13) Given there is no evidence of communication between Mr Kasamatsu and Austrade prior to his endorsement, can the Minister confirm that the Attorney-General's Legal Services Directions have been followed regarding the 50 per cent Deed of Settlement afforded to Mr Eather, especially since Commonwealth agencies are obliged at all times to act honestly and fairly in handling claims according to section 55ZF of the Judiciary Act 1903.