The Companies Auditors and Liquidators Disciplinary Board (CALDB) has reprimanded Mr Robert Eugene Murphy, of Brisbane accounting firm RE Murphy Chartered Accountants, after finding that Mr Murphy had failed to carry out or perform adequately and properly his duties as a registered liquidator.

The orders concern Mr Murphy’s conduct as voluntary administrator and liquidator of Delcor Industries Pty Limited (Delcor) and Reamed Medical Pty Limited (Reamed).

In addition to the reprimand, Mr Murphy was ordered to undertake additional professional development, namely a course dealing with the conduct of meetings and the function and duties of the chairman of a meeting.

Background

Mr Murphy was appointed as voluntary administrator of Delcor and Reamed in July 2001. He was appointed as liquidator of those companies in August 2001.

Mr Murphy was appointed as voluntary administrator of Mt Nathan Land Owners Pty Limited (Mt Nathan) in October 1999. He was appointed as liquidator of that company in September 2002.

In July 2005, ASIC filed an application with the CALDB contending that Mr Murphy had failed to carry out the duties and functions of a registered liquidator within the meaning of Corporations Act. Of the four contentions that Mr Murphy failed to carry out his duties and functions, two related to Delcor and Reamed, and two related to Mt Nathan.

On 4 April 2007, the CALDB found that ASIC had established both contentions in relation to Delcor and Reamed, but had not established the contentions in relation to Mt Nathan.

On 8 June 2007, the CALDB handed down its orders reprimanding Mr Murphy.