Trying to Save Queensland's Big Pineapple

The Executive Chairman of Sunshine Coast tourist icon ‘The Big Pineapple’, Mr Graham Edward Hayes, pleaded guilty in the Downing Centre Local Court to three counts of managing a corporation while disqualified, following charges brought by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.Mr Hayes was charged with one count of managing a corporation while disqualified, contrary to section 206A(1) of the Corporations Act 2001, and two counts of managing a corporation while disqualified, contrary to section 600(5) of the Corporations Law. On 30 January 1998, Graham Edward Hayes was prohibited by ASIC from acting in the management of a corporation for five years under section 600 of the Corporations Law. The prohibition resulted from Mr Hayes’ directorship of three failed companies, which were unable to repay creditors more than 50 cents in the dollar.ASIC alleged that despite being disqualified Mr Hayes continued to engage in various acts of management in the companies Hay-Ric Pty Limited, Sunfarm Pty Limited and Gogard Pty Limited. The acts included operating company bank accounts, passing company cheques, negotiating with suppliers and customers on behalf of a company and also entering into a joint venture on behalf of a company to develop a site in Camperdown, New South Wales, into apartments. Mr Hayes was fined $400.00 in respect of each Hay-Ric Pty Limited and Sunfarm Pty Limited and $800.00 in relation to Gogard Pty Limited. He was also ordered to attend his nearest Police Station for the purpose of being fingerprinted.The charges were prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions