Former PM hit with $632k bill after pensioners’ rent money goes missing

Louisa Galagher, whose real estate licence was deactivated in May 2025, oversaw a seniors’ apartment complex in Bethania, and came under fire when a shortfall in the business’ trust account was discovered.

The case followed a 2019 investigation, in which a receiver, appointed by the state’s Office of Fair Trading (OFT), discovered rental money that had not been passed on to landlords.

Additionally, in one case, a tenant was found to be paying double rent, as he was transferring directly into Park View’s bank account while having money deducted from his Centrelink payments.

After the receiver found there wasn’t enough trust money available to repay all amounts owed to landlords and tenants, the OFT assessed all 107 claims from all claimants who had suffered losses.

The regulator compensated the victims through its claim fund between October 2022 and September 2025, totalling $284,696.59.

The receiver was also paid $623,018.67 for her services.

After all claimants had been paid, the regulator sent letters to Galagher and the business, informing them that they owed $632,318.40.

The cost was the sum of the payments OFT reimbursed to the claimants, and the payment for the receiver, minus funds already retrieved from Park View’s trust account.

After Galagher failed to pay, a couple of months later, OFT lodged an application with QCAT, requesting the court order Park View Lodge and Galagher to reimburse the regulator.

Instead of complying, Galagher lodged an application to dispute the matter, arguing the receiver’s report had been prepared by people who did not properly understand the industry.

Additionally, she said the claims did not align with the specified dates in the report, and that some management fees had incorrectly been treated as money owed to property owners.

Last week, the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) informed her that it was too late to dispute the 107 claims, as they had already become binding.

As a result, the court ordered her to pay $632,318.40 to the OFT within 28 days.

While Galagher also challenged the costs she owed to the receiver, QCAT found she had not provided sufficient evidence to establish the expenses were unreasonable.

In addition, it said Galagher had failed to pay any amount of the costs owed, and had not informed the tribunal about how she intended to reimburse the costs.

“Ms Galagher does not say that she or Park View has paid any part of the amount demanded, and does not propose any way of satisfying it,” it said.

The tribunal ruled that it was legally required to order repayment and could not change the original compensation claims, ordering Galagher to pay the money in 28 days.