The Federal Court in Sydney has today made interim orders to secure the assets of Katungul Aboriginal Corporation Community and Medical Services’ CEO, Mr Damien Matcham. Justice Robertson issued interim orders restricting payments from Mr Matcham’s personal bank account and restraining him from dealing with his residential properties.
The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Anthony Beven, applied for the orders under section 576-20 of the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006.
Katungul Aboriginal Corporation Community and Medical Services is located in Narooma, New South Wales. It operates medical centres in Narooma and Bega for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living on the south coast.
The Registrar placed the corporation under special administration on 12 December 2011 after concerns about poor corporate governance and weak financial management.
‘I have commenced an investigation into a range of payments made to Mr Matcham totalling more than $500 000,’ Mr Beven said. ‘How a mortgage over Katungul’s Bega clinic was entered into in November 2009 to secure an overdraft facility is also under investigation’.
The Registrar sought the freezing orders today to protect assets for the purposes of a potential claim that may be made by the Registrar against Mr Matcham.
A further hearing will take place before the Federal Court in early February to decide whether the interim orders should be continued or varied.
25 January 2012
Media contact
Lisa Hugg Ph: (02) 6146 4738
Ref: ORIC MR1112-19