(1) Has his attention been drawn to the placement in liquidation in August 1999 of Parrish Meats Supplies Pty Ltd at Yallah, NSW.

(2) Has his attention also been drawn to the corporate identities South Coast Bulk Carriers Pty Ltd and Obnora Pty Ltd; if so, what is their current status.

(3) Has the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) been approached to investigate the liquidation of Parrish Meats Supplies Pty Ltd, South Coast Bulk Carriers Pty Ltd and Obnora Pty Ltd; if so, (a) who made the approaches and (b) what was the response of ASIC.

(4) Has ASIC investigated the corporate activities and directorships of Mr Colin Lord.

(5) Was there a prosecution of directors associated with Direct Acceptance Corporation Pty Ltd and Drum Reconditioners Pty Ltd; if so, (a) when was the prosecution undertaken and (b) what was the result.

(6) How many companies does Mr Lord own or have a directorship interest in, and what is the current status of those corporate entities.

(7) Will he direct ASIC to investigate the liquidation of Parrish Meats Supplies Pty Ltd, South Coast Bulk Carriers Pty Ltd and Obnora Pty Ltd; if not, why not.

(1) Yes. My office is aware of press reports relating to the liquidation of Parrish Meats Supplies Pty Ltd, and I am aware of statements made in the House by the honourable member regarding Parrish Meats Supplies Pty Ltd on 10 April 2000.

(2) No.

(3) In response to this question, ASIC has advised of the following information:

Parrish Meat Supplies Pty Ltd

(a) ASIC received a report from the company's administrator (Mr Roderick Sutherland) which outlined a range of alleged offences.

(b) An initial assessment was made of the report from the company administrator. ASIC is awaiting the report from the company's liquidator (pursuant to section 533 of the Corporations Law) before proceeding in this matter. As at this date the report from the liquidator has not yet been received by ASIC.

South Coast Bulk Carriers Pty Ltd

(a) Mr Michael Costa, Secretary, Labor Council of NSW.

(b) ASIC has concluded that the directors of the company, Mr Colin Lord and Mr Michael Parrish, are not persons eligible for administrative banning (pursuant to section 206F of the Corporations Law). ASIC does not intend to take any form of action against either director at this stage.

Obnora Pty Ltd

(a) ASIC has received no complaints in relation to this company.

(b) Not applicable.

(4) ASIC advises that it has investigated the corporate activities of Mr Colin Lord in relation to Parrish Meat Supplies Pty Ltd, South Coast Bulk Carriers Pty Ltd and Direct Acceptance Corporation Ltd.

(5) I am advised by ASIC that as a result of work undertaken by ASIC's predecessor, the Australian Securities Commission (ASC), directors Mr Raymond Lord and Mr John Riordan were successfully prosecuted for various breaches of the NSW Companies Code in relation to companies including Direct Acceptance Corporation Ltd and Drum Reconditioners Pty Ltd.

In December 1994 Mr Raymond Lord was committed for trial on various charges relating to offences under the Companies Code. In November 1995, he pleaded guilty to these charges and in December 1995 was sentenced to 2 years 6 months in gaol.

In December 1994, Mr Hohn Riordan was committed for trial on various charges relating to offences under the Companies Code. In November 1995, he pleaded guilty to these charges and in December 1995 he was sentenced to 2 years 6 months in gaol.

(6) ASIC advises that the current status of corporations which Mr Colin Lord owns or has a directorship interest in is as follows:

Brunning Investments Pty - registered company.

Direct Acceptance Corporation Ltd - under external administration.

Direct Acceptance Investments Pty Ltd - under external administration.

Glowbade Pty Ltd - deregistered.

Joal Investments Pty Ltd - registered company.

Kinghorn Nowra Pty Ltd - registered company.

Leader Newspapers Pty Ltd - registered company.

Milulla Pty Ltd - registered company.

Mulroad Pty Ltd - registered company.

Norken Pastoral Pty Ltd - registered company.

Parrish Meats Supplies - under external administration.

Sid Parrish Pty Ltd - registered company.

South Coast Bulk Carcass - under external administration.

White Gates Investments Pty Ltd - registered company.

SKP Investments Pty Ltd - registered company.

(7) No. Details of action taken by ASIC in relation to these companies is outlined above. It would be inappropriate to interfere with ASIC's consideration of any outstanding matters.