Fashion magazine Perth Woman appears to have changed hands for the fourth time in six years, with its most recent owner facing legal action from the Australian Tax Office.
Fashion magazine Perth Woman appears to have changed hands for the fourth time in six years, with its most recent owner facing legal action from the Australian Tax Office.
The tax office is one of several creditors chasing Moss Media Ltd, whose directors appear to remain in operational control of the business despite apparently selling out during the past three months.
To complicate matters, the business name – Perth Woman – is now owned by another company, which swooped on it after the original registration lapsed earlier this year.
According to Australian Securities and Investments Commission records, the ATO made a winding-up application in September.
At least two former printers claim they are owed as much as a combined $180,000 by Moss Media.
However, investigations by WA Business News have found Moss Media no longer appears to own the business.
Kaloa Nominees Pty Ltd director Gary Jackson, who operates wellness company Bloodscan Pty Ltd, told WA Business News that Kaloa’s ultimate shareholders, Michael and Lynley Stewart, had bought the magazine in mid-July.
The Perth Woman business name is owned by Horner family controlled Getchamedia Pty Ltd, which registered the name in May.
It is understood that Getchamedia has no involvement with Perth Woman magazine’s operations or ownership.
Mr Jackson told WA Business News that Moss Media directors Katherine Burnett and Peter Hickey continued to work at the magazine, overseeing the business for a hand-over period.
He said Mr Stewart was overseas but was expected to return to Perth this week.
Mr Jackson does not own shares in Kaloa and said he was not involved “at all” with the Perth Woman magazine.
Ms Burnett and Mr Hickey did not return calls from WA Business News.
Quality Press director Atish Shah said Moss Media owed his printing business about $80,000 for work it did printing three editions last year.
Mr Shah said Quality Press was paid for the first issue it printed but only received part payment for the second issue and had received no payment for the third magazine it printed 12 months ago.
He said Quality Press only printed the third magazine after gaining assurances from Perth Woman that it would be paid.
Vanguard Press managing director Ted van Heemst estimated his business was owed between $50,000 and $100,000.
Mr van Heemst said some Perth Woman magazines were printed “well and truly late” following delays by the publisher.
The magazine has had a chequered history.
It was started by John Webb’s now-defunct Consolidated Business Media, but was sold to the Shields Media Group before CBM collapsed owing creditors millions. Shields Media sold Perth Woman magazine to Moss Media in 2003.
