[2025] WASC 374
General information, not legal advice.
Supreme Court of WA
2025-09-09
Strk J
Original judgment source is linked above.
(These reasons were delivered extemporaneously and have been edited to correct infelicities of language and so as to include complete references and citations.)
(a) they be authorised to take possession of, preserve, maintain and realise the assets comprising the Trust Property;
(b) they have all the powers that a receiver has in respect of the business and property of a company under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) s 420 (other than in s 420(2)(s), (t), (u) and (w)) as if the reference in that section to 'the corporation' were a reference to the Injena Unit Trust including, without limitation, the power to do all things necessary or convenient to:
(i) investigate transactions made using funds derived from the Trust Property;
(ii) demand the books and records of the Injena Unit Trust from any person;
(iii) determine and make payment of any claims against the Trust Property;
(iv) in accordance with the priorities set out in s 556 of the Corporations Act, distribute the proceeds of the realisation of the Trust Property, after payment of the costs, expenses and remuneration of the receivers in their capacity as the receivers and as liquidators of Enterview, to any creditors of the Injena Unit Trust; and
(v) distribute any surplus thereafter to the beneficiaries of the Injena Unit Trust;
(c) the costs, expenses and remuneration of the receivers in:
(i) acting as the liquidators of Enterview; and
(ii) acting as the receivers of the assets and undertaking of the Injena Unit Trust,
(d) the need for Ms Allmark and Mr James to give security pursuant to the Rules of the Supreme Court O 51 r 3 be dispensed with.
7.1 all of the assets of the Injena Trust as assets beneficially held by the Company, as bare trustee, subject to any charge or lien that the Company has over the assets of the Injena Trust to secure the payment of any debts properly incurred by the Company as trustee; and
7.2 all liabilities incurred by the Company in the conduct of its business as liabilities of the Injena Trust.
8.1 first, paying the amount of the Plaintiffs' costs of this application on an indemnity basis;
8.2 second, paying the Receivers for their remuneration, costs and expenses;
8.3 third, paying the Receivers for their remuneration costs and expenses incurred in their capacity as liquidators of the Company;
8.4 third, in accordance with the priority regime established by sections 555, 556, 560 and 561 of the Act, after payment of the costs, expenses and remuneration of the Receivers and in their capacity as the liquidators of the Company, to the admitted creditors of the Company; and
8.5 fourth, distribute any surplus thereafter to the beneficiaries of the Trust.
(a) the Injena Unit Trust was established pursuant to the Injena Unit Trust Deed dated 9 July 2012;
(b) there are two original and present unit holders of the Injena Unit Trust, namely, Ezekiel Mashet Amudala (the director of Enterview), and Fiona Anne Amudala (who was previously but is not now a director of Enterview);
(c) Enterview in its capacity as trustee of the Injena Unit Trust traded the business known as Baythe Linen and Laundry, which provided commercial linen hire and laundry services to hotels, resorts, Airbnb short-term rental accommodation businesses and restaurants located in the south west of Western Australia;
(d) Enterview operated the business, and held assets and property, solely in its capacity as trustee of the Injena Unit Trust;
(e) on 7 August 2025 Ms Allmark and Mr James were appointed as the joint and several liquidators of Enterview upon resolution passed at a general meeting of members of Enterview pursuant to the Corporations Act s 491(1);
(f) Enterview ceased trading upon being placed into liquidation;
(g) at the time of the appointment of the liquidators, Enterview was the sole trustee of the Injena Unit Trust, had incurred substantial debts which it owed its creditors in its capacity as trustee of the Injena Unit Trust, and held assets as trustee of the Injena Unit Trust;
(h) Ms Allmark has not identified any evidence that Enterview had ever operated, or owned assets or property in its own right;
(i) under the terms of the Injena Unit Trust Deed, particularly by operation of cl 11.2, on the appointment of Ms Allmark and Mr James as liquidators, Enterview was automatically disqualified from holding the office of trustee of the Injena Unit Trust;
(j) the liquidators wish to realise the assets of the Injena Unit Trust and apply the proceeds to discharge the liabilities incurred by Enterview in its capacity as trustee, and distribute any remaining proceeds according to law and in terms of the orders sought in the application; and
(k) while the value of the liabilities of the Injena Unti Trust are yet to be fully ascertained, on the basis of the value presently known to Ms Allmark, Ms Allmark does not expect that the realised proceeds of the Injena Unit Trust assets will be sufficient to discharge all of the liabilities of Enterview as trustee.
Should Ms Allmark and Mr James be appointed as receivers and managers of the Trust Property?
exercised without affording potentially affected parties an opportunity to be heard.[22]
The court's power under s 90-15(1) includes a power to give directions about a matter arising in connection with the performance or exercise of an administrator's functions or powers: Reidy, in the matter of eChoice Ltd (Administrators Appointed) [2017] FCA 1582 at [26] - [27] (Yates J). In this respect, s 90-15(1) confers a power to give directions that was previously conferred by ss 447D(1) and 479(3) of the Act concerning administrators and liquidators, respectively: see Carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts Australia Pty Ltd v Commonwealth [2019] HCA 20; 93 ALJR 807 at [166] (Gordon J); Reidy at [27] (Yates J); and Kelly (liquidator), in the matter of Australian Institute of Professional Education Pty Ltd (in liq) [2018] FCA 780 at [30] (Gleeson J). The principles governing directions to administrators and those governing directions to liquidators are relevantly analogous: Re Ansett Australia Ltd (No 3) [2002] FCA 90; 115 FCR 409 at [43] (Goldberg J).
The function of a judicial direction of this kind is not to determine rights and liabilities arising out of a particular transaction, but to confer a level of protection on the administrator. An administrator who acts in accordance with a judicial direction, having made full and fair disclosure to the court of the material facts, has 'protection against claims that they have acted unreasonably or inappropriately or in breach of their duty in making the decision or undertaking the conduct' proposed.
(a) all of the assets of the Injena Unit Trust as assets beneficially held by Enterview, as bare trustee, subject to any charge or lien that Enterview has over the assets of the Injena Unit Trust to secure the payment of any debts properly incurred by Enterview as trustee; and
(b) all liabilities incurred by Enterview in the conduct of its business as liabilities of the Injena Unit Trust.
I certify that the preceding paragraph(s) comprise the reasons for decision of the Supreme Court of Western Australia.
[1] Originating process filed 25 August 2025, pars 3 - 5.
[2] Originating process filed 25 August 2025, pars 6 - 8.
[3] Originating process filed 25 August 2025, pars 9 - 13.
[4] Affidavit of NJ Allmark sworn 25 August 2025, NJA-7.
[5] Plaintiffs' outline of submissions filed 7 September 2025, par 30.
[6] Where the principles summarised by Hill J in Re Aqua Blue Plumbing (Qld) Pty Ltd (in liquidation); Ex parte Ross Stephen Thomson as liquidator of Aqua Blue Plumbing (Qld) Pty Ltd (in liquidation) [2024] WASC 177 at [11] ‑ [20], and in Gregory Bruce Dudley and Jerome Hall Mohen as joint and several liquidators of NLR (WA) Pty Ltd (in liquidation) v Bragg [2024] WASC 501 at [13] ‑ [16], were adopted and applied.
[7] Lemery Holdings Pty Ltd v Reliance Financial Services Pty Ltd [2008] NSWSC 1344 [50] (Brereton J).
[8] See Jones v Matrix Partners Pty Ltd; Re Killarnee Civil & Concrete Contractors Pty Ltd (in liq) [2018] FCAFC 40; (2018) 260 FCR 310 [44], [85] ‑ [91] (Allsop CJ), [139], [142] (Siopis J), [198] (Farrell J); Caterpillar Financial Australia Ltd v Ovens Nominees Pty Ltd [2011] FCA 677 [22] ‑ [28] (Gordon J). See also Brereton, in the matter of MyHouse (Aust) Pty Limited (administrators appointed) [2020] FCA 610 [30], referenced in the plaintiffs' outline of submissions filed 7 September 2025, par 10.
[9] Jones v Matrix Partners Pty Ltd; Re Killarnee Civil & Concrete Contractors Pty Ltd (in liq) [44] (Allsop CJ), [196] (Farrell J).
[10] Cremin, in the matter of Brimson Pty Ltd (in liq) [2019] FCA 1023 [49] (Moshinsky J).
[11] Carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts Australia Pty Ltd v Commonwealth [2019] HCA 20; (2019) 268 CLR 524 [40] (Kiefel CJ, Keane & Edelman JJ), [106] (Gordon J).
[12] In the matter of Mecfab Holdings Pty Ltd [2015] NSWSC 46 [9].
[13] Carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts Australia Pty Ltd v Commonwealth [55] ‑ [58] (Kiefel CJ, Keane & Edelman JJ), [95] ‑ [97] (Bell, Gageler & Nettle JJ), [171] (Gordon J).
[14] Jones v Matrix Partners Pty Ltd; Re Killarnee Civil & Concrete Contractors Pty Ltd (in liq) [91], [152], [198] (Farrell J)
[15] In the matter of Hercules Car Parking Systems (Victoria) Pty Ltd [2018] NSWSC 409 (Brereton J).
[16] Section 90-15(1) of the Insolvency Practice Schedule (Corporations).
[17] Frigger v Mervyn Jonathan Kitay as liquidator of Computer Accounting & Tax Pty Ltd [2022] WASC 347 [23].
[18] Section 90-15(3)(a) of the Insolvency Practice Schedule (Corporations).
[19] Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Jones [2023] WASCA 130 [306]. See also, Kelly (as joint and several liquidators of Halifax Investment Services Pty Ltd (in liq) (ACN 096 980 522)) v Loo (No 8) [2020] FCA 533; (2020) 144 ACSR 292 [51], cited in Krejci, in the matter of Union Standard International Group Pty Ltd (Administrators Appointed) (No 2) [2020] FCA 1111 [7].
[20] In the matter of Broens Pty Ltd (in liq) [2018] NSWSC 1747 [39]. See also Re Hawden Property Group Pty Ltd (ACN 003 528 345) (in liq) [2018] NSWSC 481; (2018) 125 ACSR 355 [7] - [8], cited in Ex parte Frigger [2020] WASC 365 [12].
[21] In the matter of HIH Insurance Limited (in liquidation) ACN 008 636 575; In the matter of FAI General Insurance Company Ltd (in liquidation and subject to a scheme of arrangement) ACN 000 327 855; In the matter of HIH Casualty and General Insurance Limited (in liquidation and subject to schemes of arrangement) ACN 008 482 291 [2018] NSWSC 1886 [4] ‑ [5].
[22] Re Hawden Property Group Pty Ltd (ACN 003 529 345) (in liq) [8], citing Meadow Springs Fairway Resort Ltd (in liq) (ACN 084 358 592) v Balanced Securities Ltd (ACN 083 514 685) [2007] FCA 1443 [49] ‑ [51] referring to Australian Securities Commission v Melbourne Asset Management Nominees Pty Ltd (Receiver and Manager Appointed) [1994] FCA 1031; (1994) 49 FCR 334, 352; Re Willmott Forests Ltd (ACN 063 263 650) (Receivers and Managers Appointed) (in liq) (No 2) [2012] VSC 125; (2012) 88 ACSR 18 [45] ‑ [46]; In the matter of ICS Real Estate Pty Ltd (in liq); and In the matter of Independent Contractor Services (Aust) Pty Ltd (in liq) [2014] NSWSC 479 [25]. See also In the matter of Australian Property Custodian Holdings Ltd (ACN 095 474 736) [2021] VSC 51 [35]; and Hill, in the matter of Autocare Services Pty Ltd (administrators appointed) [2021] FCA 167 [44].
[23] Carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts Australia Pty Ltd v Commonwealth [166] (Gordon J); Kelly (as joint and several liquidators of Halifax Investment Services Pty Ltd (in liq) (ACN 096 980 522) v Loo (No 8) [52] (Gleeson J), quoting Ample Source International Limited v Bonython Metals Group Pty Limited (in liquidation), in the matter of Bonython Metals Group Pty Limited (in liquidation) (No 8) [2018] FCA 1614 [89] (Gleeson J).
[24] Re Ansett Australia Ltd (No 3) [44] (Goldberg J); In the matter of Nexus Energy Ltd [2014] NSWSC 1041 [12] ‑ [13]; Nipps v Remagen Lend ADA Pty Ltd; Re Adaman Resources Pty (No 4) [2021] FCA 644 [38]; and Re GGA Lifestyle Pty Ltd (Administrators Appointed); Ex parte Woodhouse [2019] WASC 167 [21], citing Re GB Nathan & Co Pty Ltd (1991) 24 NSWLR 674, 679 ‑ 680 (McLelland J).
[25] Re GGA Lifestyle Pty Ltd (Administrators Appointed); Ex parte Woodhouse [18] (Vaughan J), citing In the matter of Broens Pty Ltd (in liq) [2018] NSWSC 1747 [39] (Gleeson J). See also Whalley, in the matter of Poles & Underground Pty Ltd (Administrators Appointed) [2017] FCA 486 [41] (Gleeson J); and Krejci (liquidator), in the matter of Community Work Pty Ltd (in liq) [2018] FCA 425 [45] ‑ [47] (Gleeson J).
[26] Re Ansett Australia Ltd (No 3) [65] (Goldberg J); adopted in In the matter of Nexus Energy Ltd [12] ‑ [13] (Black J); Nipps v Remagen Lend ADA Pty Ltd; Re Adaman Resources Pty (No 4) [38] (Banks‑Smith J); and Re GGA Lifestyle Pty Ltd [19] - [20]. See also Re ONE.Tel Ltd [2014] NSWSC 457; (2014) 99 ACSR 247 [33] (Brereton J).
[27] Section 90-20(1)(d) of the Insolvency Practice Schedule (Corporations), read with s 9 of the Corporations Act (pt (f) of the definition of 'officer').
[29] Originating process filed 25 August 2025, par 8, reproduced at [3] above.
(2002) 115 FCR 409
(1933) 48 CLR 171
(2018) 260 FCR 310
(2019) 268 CLR 524
(1994) 49 FCR 334
(1991) 24 NSWLR 674