Melbourne
Observer
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‘SOUTHERN CROSS WEEKLY’ EDITION
BAYSIDE • BOROONDARA • GLEN EIRA • KINGSTON • MELBOURNE • PORT PHILLIP • STONNINGTON • YARRA Local and Independent. Not associated with any other publication in this area.
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Incorporating the Southern Cross Weekly, Boroondara Weekly, Stonnington Weekly, Glen Eira Standard, Kingston Standard, Port Phillip Times, Bayside Advertiser, Brighton Advertiser, Sandringham Advertiser, Collingwood-Fitzroy-Carlton Courier, The Clarion, Yarra Times.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2025
Local News BAS prosecution ■ Ms Darnelle Te Kiri was sentenced to 17 months imprisonment in the County Court at Melbourne after having been found guilty of obtaining $202,936 through false business activity statements. Ms Te Kiri registered an ABN in 2021 for hospitality and bar work services and lodged eight false BAS over seven months, claiming to have spent over $2 million in purchases despite reporting little to no income. An Australian Taxation Office audit found no evidence of a legitimate business. The funds were spent on rent, groceries, pubs and gaming, ATM withdrawals, and transfers to third parties and international money services. She was released immediately on $1000 recognisance, to be of good behaviour for two years and ordered to repay the full $202,936.
COUNCIL UPSET AT HOTEL MOVE
● The Southern Cross Weekly edition covers Bayside, Boroondara (south), Glen Eira, Kingston, Melbourne, Port Phillip, Stonnington and Yarra.
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● Mentone Hotel site
■ Kingston Council says that it is disappointed that developers of the former Mentone Hotel are seeking to remove the hospitality space that was secured as part of the original approval for the site. The developer is proposing to replace the public restaurant/bar with two additional apartments, as they say they have been unable to secure a viable hospitality operator. Kingston Mayor Cr Georgina Oxley said this moves away from the work that the Council put in to preserve public access to the local landmark. "The community fought hard for the Mentone Hotel – not just to protect its heritage, but to ensure it remained a place that people could continue to enjoy,” Cr Oxley said. “Council negotiated in good faith to secure this hospitality space as part of the development. "Ideally we would like to see the public continue to be able to access this iconic building into the future." Como Ward Councillor Chris Hill said that more than 90 residents lodged an objection to the proposal. “We encourage them to speak up at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing to make sure the community’s voice is heard," Cr Oxley said Currently VCAT has listed a Compulsory Conference (mediation) on September 8, followed by a hearing on December 3-4.
JAIL AFTER FALSE TAXATION CLAIMS
● County Court
■ Mr Tewhanaupani Nukunuku was sentenced to two years and three months imprisonment, to be released after serving nine months on recognisance release, order requiring him to give security in the sum of $1000 on condition he be of good behaviour for two years. Mr Nukunuku pleaded guilty in the County Court at Melbourne for one offence of obtaining a financial advantage of $168,000 by deception from the Commonwealth and one offence of attempting to obtain a further $100,000 in GST refunds. He claimed to operate a concreting business and lodged eight false BAS over a sixmonth period. An Australian Taxation Office audit found he was not in business and did not hold the necessary registration or licence to perform the claimed work. The funds were partly spent on some luxury items including retail expenses and a car. He was also ordered to repay the full $168,000.
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