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Belgian cafe chain Oliver Brown has gone into voluntary administration, owing creditors, including the ATO, more than $29 million.

 

The franchise chain is also reportedly contesting a $5.1 million tax bill with the Australian Taxation Office following an audit two years ago.

 

$20 million of the $29 million is owed to landlords, and $5.2 million is owed to the ATO, according to Inside Retail.

 

The company also failed to maintain proper books, records and accounting systems, and may have traded while insolvent, according to the report.


The company's franchisees are continuing to trade, with creditors to vote on three deed of company arrangement (DOCA) proposals this week.

Packaging News

Australia's environment ministers have declared packaging reform urgent and named soft plastics as an initial priority, but offered no firm timetable or regulatory commitments. SPSA has welcomed the soft plastics focus, while Boomerang Alliance and WMRR have raised concerns about the lack of concrete action.

Economic analysis commissioned by SPSA estimates national recycling reforms could deliver up to $278m in net productivity gains and stimulate up to $2.6b in capital investment each year.

A cross-sector open letter is urging national leaders to agree on a pathway for regulated producer responsibility schemes at the September Environment Ministers Meeting.