• Prosecution

The Labour Hire Authority (LHA) has filed nine criminal charges against the director of a labour hire company, alleging she knowingly provided false and misleading information and documents to LHA.

LHA’s action, filed in the Magistrates’ Court, alleges that the director of Veng Hong Pty Ltd (Veng Hong), Kim Buoy Ghov, made false statements in the company’s labour hire licence application.

The application claimed the company intended to start a new horticulture labour hire business in Victoria that was not yet in operation. LHA alleges this information was false, as the company was already providing labour hire, despite not having a licence.

Ms Ghov also allegedly continued to provide false and misleading information in response to subsequent LHA enquiries relating to Veng Hong’s licence application, including:

• that Veng Hong was waiting for a licence and was not working for, had any association or financial dealings with another labour hire provider
• the amount and nature of bank accounts Veng Hong operated in its business capacity.

After LHA’s investigation, Veng Hong’s licence application was refused.

The nine charges carry a maximum total penalty of more than $250,000.

Providing false or misleading information to LHA or an inspector is a criminal offence under the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2018 (Vic), carrying maximum penalties per charge of more than:

• $30,000 for an individual
• $150,000 for a company.

Actions for hosts – protect your business

Hosts can take two quick actions to protect their business and support LHA in working towards a fairer industry for businesses and workers:

• Check the licence of any current providers is active on the Labour Hire Licence Register.
• Subscribe to be notified of any changes to providers’ licence status through the Follow my Providers tool.