BAD TASTE SUPER STEW

THE owner of two high-profile restaurants opened another swish eatery last year despite owing staff thousands of dollars in superannuation.

Court documents show Pacific Holdings Vanuatu Pty Ltd — the owner of New York New York, Manhattan on Hope and Tiffany’s Café and Cocktails — owes the Australian Taxation Office $574,000.

The three Hope Island eateries closed suddenly last week, putting up to 40 staff out of work.

Pacific Holdings Vanuatu is owned by Jo-Anne Crestani. Her partner, Randall McFie, sold his Sovereign Islands mansion in January for $3.3 million.

THE owner of well-known restaurants owed staff thousands of dollars in superannuation last year when it opened another swish eatery.

Federal Court documents show Pacific Holdings Vanuatu Pty Ltd, the owner of New York New York, Manhattan on Hope and Tiffany’s Café and Cocktails, owe the Australian Taxation Office $574,000.

Of that, about $85,000 relates to a superannuation guarantee charge, which is applied when an employer does not pay staff the minimum superannuation.

The ATO figures show minimum superannuation contributions had not been paid to employees since April 2016.

The three Hope Island eateries closed suddenly last week, putting up to 40 staff out of job.

Pacific Holdings Vanuatu is owned by Jo-Anne Crestani. The company’s registered address was a property at Knightsbridge Parade, Sovereign Islands, owned by Ms Crestani’s partner, Randall McFie.

He sold the mansion $3.3 million in January.

On Friday, the Federal Court ordered Pacific Holdings Vanuatu be put into liquidation.

The move forced the administrators appointed by Ms Crestani last Monday to hand for over winding-up of the company to liquidators McGrath Nicol.

Pacific Holdings Vanuatu did not respond to requests from the ATO to pay the more than $574,000 tax bill in January.

In an email filed in the Federal Court, administrator Roland Robson said there was no possibility of the restaurants reopening.

The email also details how stock had been returned to suppliers or donated to charity.

The equipment at Manhattan on Hope, which opened last August, was surrendered due to an outstanding debt.

The email also reveals negotiations to sell New York New York and Tiffany’s. “The contract is expected to be provided in regards to the sale of these two businesses/restaurants.”

Mr Robson also talks about the failed sale of Manhattan on Hope — for a much lower price than the more than $1 million that had been asked.

“A contract was on foot for $350,000 which would have gone to the secured creditor on the settlement,” Mr Robson wrote. “I have been informed the purchaser pulled out on due diligence wherein the secured creditor moved to then recover their assets.”

McGrath Nicol partner Anthony Connelly declined to comment as he is still gathering information on the company.