Published Wednesday, 25 June, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Misleading Advertising Lands Recruiter a Golden Fine
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine has warned anyone looking to use Queensland’s mining boom as an opportunity to rip people off that they will be caught and fined.
“Mining is big business, but misleading advertising and false guarantees of a job have seen a Cairns-based recruiter handed a $3000 fine,” Mr Shine said.
Roger Temple Bell pleaded guilty in Cairns Magistrates Court earlier this month to breaching the Fair Trading Act 1989, including making false and misleading representations in his recruitment advertising.
“Roger Bell guaranteed mining jobs at the Regent Gold Mine in advertisements online and in regional newspapers interstate,” Mr Shine said.
“Potential applicants were told they could apply for a free information pack with the promise of a ‘guaranteed mine job within 30 days’, if they followed the directions in the pack.
“Applicants were asked to send $50 with a resume and copies of relevant licences and certificates to secure a job at the mines.
“The Office of Fair Trading was alerted to the website after receiving a number of complaints from applicants who had paid money but had not yet received the promised job.”
Mr Shine said some applicants also complained of problems trying to contact the company or having their calls returned.
“Investigations found Mr Bell had misrepresented the availability of jobs and had deliberately altered photos of an old gold mine known as the Regent Gold Mine to try and entice potential applicants into thinking jobs were readily available,” he said.
“False or misleading advertising about recruitment or job opportunities is illegal under the Fair Trading Act 1989.
“Advertisers caught misleading consumers risk fines of up to $40,500 for an individual or $202,500 for a corporation.”
Mr Shine said the mining boom meant a wide range of well-paid jobs are available, however jobseekers paying money to help land these jobs were entitled to realistic information about their job prospects.
“Jobseekers should be on the lookout for employment scams that promise you a guaranteed job but only end up taking your money,” he said.
“Employment scams are particularly cruel as they exploit the hopes of people genuinely looking for work.
“When signing on with an employment agency or looking for employment, be wary of requests for large upfront fees and promises of large amounts of money you can make with little effort.”
For more information on employment scams and how to avoid them, visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or phone 13 13 04.
Media contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273
“Mining is big business, but misleading advertising and false guarantees of a job have seen a Cairns-based recruiter handed a $3000 fine,” Mr Shine said.
Roger Temple Bell pleaded guilty in Cairns Magistrates Court earlier this month to breaching the Fair Trading Act 1989, including making false and misleading representations in his recruitment advertising.
“Roger Bell guaranteed mining jobs at the Regent Gold Mine in advertisements online and in regional newspapers interstate,” Mr Shine said.
“Potential applicants were told they could apply for a free information pack with the promise of a ‘guaranteed mine job within 30 days’, if they followed the directions in the pack.
“Applicants were asked to send $50 with a resume and copies of relevant licences and certificates to secure a job at the mines.
“The Office of Fair Trading was alerted to the website after receiving a number of complaints from applicants who had paid money but had not yet received the promised job.”
Mr Shine said some applicants also complained of problems trying to contact the company or having their calls returned.
“Investigations found Mr Bell had misrepresented the availability of jobs and had deliberately altered photos of an old gold mine known as the Regent Gold Mine to try and entice potential applicants into thinking jobs were readily available,” he said.
“False or misleading advertising about recruitment or job opportunities is illegal under the Fair Trading Act 1989.
“Advertisers caught misleading consumers risk fines of up to $40,500 for an individual or $202,500 for a corporation.”
Mr Shine said the mining boom meant a wide range of well-paid jobs are available, however jobseekers paying money to help land these jobs were entitled to realistic information about their job prospects.
“Jobseekers should be on the lookout for employment scams that promise you a guaranteed job but only end up taking your money,” he said.
“Employment scams are particularly cruel as they exploit the hopes of people genuinely looking for work.
“When signing on with an employment agency or looking for employment, be wary of requests for large upfront fees and promises of large amounts of money you can make with little effort.”
For more information on employment scams and how to avoid them, visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or phone 13 13 04.
Media contact: Troy Davies 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273