Issue Date:  -  Wednesday, 24 July 2002

Guilty finding on nine breaches of Associations Incorporation Act.

The Department of Consumer and Employment Protection has successfully prosecuted Stuart James Bromley of Kardinya on two charges of knowingly making a false and misleading statement, along with seven charges of failing to produce documents relating to Incorporated Associations.

Prosecutor for Consumer Protection David Oliver advised the Perth Court of Petty Sessions that Mr. Bromley had deliberately made false statements relating to the winding up of an association. He had declared that the association had no assets whereas he continued to operate its bank account.

Mr. Bromley claimed he had placed a required advertisement while knowing this claim to be false. He also failed to provide documents such as financial statements, minutes of meetings and membership lists, when directed to do so by the Consumer Protection Commissioner.

The Associations involved are:

 - International Arts Foundation Inc
 - International Museum (Aust. Branch) Inc
 - Digital Heritage Foundation (Inc)

Mr. Bromley first came to the department’s attention in late 2000 when a complaint was made against him for an unrelated matter.

“The department is pleased with this outcome. It is significant in that it emphasises the need for Associations to be accountable and operate responsibly. It is very important that people who are holding positions on committees be aware of their obligations under the law, as well as their responsibilities to the Association,” Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said today.

While handing down a $100 fine for each of the nine offences plus $1,800 in costs, Magistrate Cicchini said that he disbelieved much of the evidence given by Mr. Bromley.