Issue Date:  -  Wednesday, 24 March 2004

Former Islamic Association President To Pay Legal Fees

The former president of the Fremantle Islamic Association has been left counting the costs of bringing Supreme Court action against the Consumer Protection Commissioner without the authorisation of the association.

The Supreme Court previously dismissed a bid by Mohammed Ayiub of East Perth, finding that the Consumer Protection Commissioner acted within his powers when he cancelled the group’s Incorporation and seized its funds last year.

Mr. Ayiub’s lawyer was unsuccessful in his application to Justice Pullin to have his client’s legal bills paid out of the association’s seized funds, leaving Mr. Ayiub responsible for all costs which are likely to be considerable.

Complaints from members indicated that the executive committee of the association was no longer accounting to the membership for their actions, and had not conducted an Annual General Meeting for some years.

This prompted an investigation by the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection who after a protracted and unsuccessful process of trying to communicate with Mr Ayiub, cancelled the Incorporation of the association.

Funds of almost $25,000 were seized.

"This is an important wake-up call for committee members to be aware of their responsibilities and to realise there can be extreme consequences if they fail to be accountable to association members", Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

"$25,000 is a lot of money and the Department was duty bound to protect the interests of the members who had contributed to this amount.

"The funds are destined for a new association, that will carry out the charitable objectives of the original group", Mr Walker said.