Builder boss in nursing return
Q1 creditors looking for answers as Empire office for lease
CREDITORS of collapsed Gold Coast builder Queensland One Homes are looking for answers after the office of related company Empire Constructions was put up for lease and its sole director returned to her previous career as a cosmetic injection nurse.
The collapse of Queensland One Homes, also known as Q1 Homes, left more than 100 creditors, including the Australian Taxation Office and a slew of small businesses, with debts of almost $6 million in its wake, and a trail of customers with unfinished and defective homes.
Allegations of phoenix activities were passed on to Federal regulator ASIC after contracts from Q1, whose sole director was Paul Callender, were transferred to Empire, whose sole director is his wife Amber Callender.
Mr Callender was declared bankrupt in December and Q1 creditors were given details of a confidential settlement which would mean a significant sum repaid to the company by Ms Callender, and companies she directs, including Empire Constructions Pty Ltd.
However this week, Empire’s Ormeau office was advertised for lease with the headline “owner needs tenant ASAP”.
Social media posts also reveal several Empire staff have taken up roles with other building companies, and that Ms Callender, 37, had resumed working as a cosmetic nurse.
Ms Callender yesterday told the Bulletin the company had downsized, but was “obviously” still trading, but no longer required the 260sqm of space.
She said Empire Constructions had completed the unfinished Q1 homes and explained her transition from manager of a multimilliondollar construction company back to cosmetic injectables.
“I have been a registered nurse for 16 years, I have to do so many hours a year to maintain my nursing registration,” she said.
“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond. Unfortunately in this instance there is nothing newsworthy to discuss, but I wish you all the best in trying to generate a story.”
A domain registration search shows empireconstructions.com.au, which is not currently active, was registered by Paul Callender, using a Q1 Homes email address.
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission this week confirmed an investigation into alleged phoenix activities relating to the companies was ongoing.
A Supreme Court judge froze assets worth $7.1 million owned by the couple, who were quizzed over company records that were destroyed when computers were left in the back of a ute and damaged by water.
The Ormeau office is one of a slew of properties owned by the Callenders, which are likely to be sold by Q1 liquidator Michael Caspaney on behalf of creditors.
Empire’s licence was suspended last month but was reinstated in October pending the results of an appeal lodged by Empire in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
The Bulletin understands Empire’s licence was reinstated temporarily for the sole purpose of allowing the company to finish homes left incomplete by Queensland One.
A statement from the regulator said “a number of homeowners” had contacted them about Empire’s current situation and “we fully appreciate their concerns”.
“While the QBCC is appreciative of these concerns, pursuant with orders issued by a Tribunal, the QBCC is unable to provide any further comment on compliance measures which are in place regarding this entity,” the statement said.
Q1 Homes, along with fellow failed builder Cullen Group, will be grilled in public hearings of the Supreme Court, funded by the State Government. The first hearing is likely to be scheduled in coming weeks.