Melbourne Observer. April 15, 2015. by Ash Long

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 15, 2015 - Page 7

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‘I will never apply again, Observer anywhere, to practise law’ In This Big, Big Edition

Tigers Be Still

● Emma Caldwell and Samantha Cunningham in Tigers Be Still. Photo Bodie Strain ■ The Australian premiere of Tigers Be Still Finally though, Sherry gets her first job will be presented by Boutique Theatre from Featuring Emma Caldwell, Samantha April 21-May 2 at the Brunswick Mechanics Cunningham, Rohan Mirchandaney and Institute. Christopher Welldon. Written by American playwright Kim Launched in 2012, Boutique Theatre is Rosenstock and directed by Byron Bache, this becoming known for presenting little known comedy tells of Sherry Wickman’s mother plays with big heart. being in bed for months, her sister won’t leave Performance Season: April 21-May 2 the couch, her new boss has a rifle … and Times: Tues.-Sat. 8pm, Sun. 6pm now there’s a tiger on the loose. Preview: TuesdayApril 21 Sherry has a degree in Art Therapy, a thing Tickets: $28 Full, $25 Concession, $24 for paddle-pop sticks and a crippling anxiety Grps 5+, $20 Preview problem. Bookings: 0403 937 529 or online at Her freshly dumped older sister has turned to Jack Daniels, repeated viewings of Top www.boutiquetheatre.com.au .Venue: Brunswick Mechanics Institute: Gun, and felony theft to ease her pain, and their mother is so paralysed with sadness that 270 Sydney Rd, Brunswick. she hasn’t gotten out of bed since last year. - Cheryl Threadgold

Pensioner overpaid $111,429

■ Ms Xiao Mei Wu was paid widow allowances of $89,817.63 that she was not entitled to receive, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal was told. Tribunal Senior Member Egon Fice was told that Ms Wu was also overpaid Newstart allowances of $5609.88, and widow allowances of $16,002.07. Ms Wu was unsuccessful when she appealed to the AAT, when Ms Wu, now an age pensioner receipient, for a review of the decision. The Tribunal was told that Ms Wu, of Burwood, owned a property at Southbank. Ms Wu is paying her debt to the Commonwealth by deductions of $134.20 per fort-

night made to her age pension. She was in receipt of the age pension at the rate of $854.30 per fortnight. The Tribunal was told that Ms Wu was put on a Newstart allowance in 2003 when she separated from her partner. Later that year she was granted a widow allowance. Evidence was given that Ms Wu became registered proprietor of a unit in Wells St, Southbank in 2001. The Tribunal said she had made contradictory statements

Ms Wu said that the property belonged to her husband, and that he had put it into her name when he left Australia. “As the department oficer noted, the statement could not be correct.” Mrs Wu became the property owner in 2001. She said she had separated in 2003. Her widow application in 2003 said she owned no property. She has also given addresses of Chapel St, St Kilda, and Jasper Rd, McKinnon, as well as Old Burwood Rd, Bur-

■ Lawyer Raymond Johnson has given an undertaking that he “will never again apply for a practising certificate anywhere in Australia”. Johnson offered the pledge to Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Senior Member Noreen Megay, after proceedings were brought against Johnson by Legal Services Commissioner Michael McGarvie. The Tribunal heard that complaints had been laid against Johnson in relation to matters he had handled for Maureen Fletcher, and Suzanne Lyttleton. Johnson admitted that he failed to complete a transfer of land for his client, Maureen Fletcher, for a period of more than six years. Johnson agreed he failed to provide a full written explanation of his conduct. Johnson also admitted deducting $27,000 from the estate of the deceased Ms Pascoe, in breach of a Supreme Court order made by Judge McMillan. He pleaded guilty to professional misconduct in not keeping trust account records, and not maintaining a reasonable standard of competence and diligence. Johnson had practised as a lawyer since April 1979, and was a sole practition-er at Nepean Hwy, Chelsea. Ms Megay said the Legal Services Commissioner had satisfied itself that there was a reasonable likelihood that the Tribunal would fund Johnson guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional misconduct. Johnson did not appear before the Tribunal, except for a brief telephone call. He had not denied the allegations, even after confirming that he knew their content. Ms Megay ruled that Johnson was required to pay $6058 costs to the Legal Services Commissioner. She said that Johnson’s undertaking may be used as a complete bar to any future applications for him to practise as a lawyer.

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