Agent fined for “under” quoting
The Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday fined T Som Properties $20,000 and $1240 in costs after the Glen Waverley company pleaded guilty to 13 charges of underquoting under the Estate Agents Act.
The charges related to properties advertised for sale below market prices in Burwood East, Glen Waverley, Wheelers Hill, Forest Hill, Springvale North, Clayton, Mount Waverley and Mulgrave.
The advertised prices were as much as $80,000 below what T Som Properties had estimated on the vendors sale authority.
Consumer Affairs Victoria investigated the agent’s actions after the Real Estate Institute of Victoria raised concerns the company had breached underquoting laws. (news)
More ladies becoming street racers
A new breed of girl-racer hoons is putting lives at risk on Victorian roads.
Police are catching more female drivers pushing the limits in hotted-up sedans, sports cars and hatchbacks.
Experts say urgent research is needed to tackle the phenomenon.
At least 73 women have lost their cars to impoundment yards so far this year – about 10 a month.
That takes to 141 the number of female hoons caught since July 2006 when police confiscation powers came into force.
While women account for just 2.5 per cent of all hoon drivers, their numbers are on the rise. Girls as young as 16 are among those who have been caught smashing the speed limit, doing burn-outs and leading police on dangerous pursuits. (news)
Carlton Video Dogs ordered to pay students proper wage
A video store which paid six students with free rental videos and DVDs has back-paid workers after a Workplace Ombudsman investigation.
In June, Carlton Video Dogs in Victoria was found to be advertising for students to work two-hour evening shifts in return for free DVD rentals.
This led to an investigation by the Ombudsman, who examined employment, wage records and pay slips.
The employees who worked for free rentals have now been paid a total of $500.
As well as paying some staff with free rental, ombudsman inspectors found a number of other employees were also being paid only $18 an hour, below the award rate of $20.38. (news)
Victoria crime higher than ever, blame alcohol
Violent crime in Victoria has surged to a record high even as the state’s overall crime rate has fallen slightly, leaked figures reveal.
Confidential police crime statistics, leaked to the State Opposition, show fewer crimes were reported to police in 2007/08 than in the previous year, but more cases went unresolved.
Overall, the crime rate dipped by 0.4 per cent, while violent crime, including robbery, assault and sex attacks, grew by 1.4 per cent.
Police and the Victorian Government have blamed alcohol abuse for the rise in violent crime. But the Opposition says it’s a symptom of an under-resourced force and has renewed calls for more police on the beat. (news)
Mark Philippoussis avoids surfing accident
Former tennis ace Mark Philippoussis has cheated death while surfing in wild seas off Victoria’s southwest coast.
The Scud was surfing off Bells Beach when he got into trouble in the turbulent waters before being dragged into a sea cave while his board was smashed in half, Channel 9 said tonight.
Philippoussis’ ordeal began when he paddled out of Winki Pop beach, between Bells Beach and Torquay, on the Surf Coast, southwest of Melbourne, this morning.
Witnesses told the Nine the former top 10 player suffered hip and feet injuries after being swept into the area known as The Valley, while being battered by huge waves.
Witness Steve Ryan said he told Philippoussis not to surf out of Winki but to head closer to Bells Beach. (news)
