Blow for Carey's return to real estate
Former Westpoint boss Norm Carey has lost the right to practice as a real estate agent after the Court of Appeal yesterday overturned a favourable ruling by the State Administrative Tribunal.
The Court of Appeal's decision marks a victory for Consumer Protection commissioner Anne Driscoll, who had attracted Mr Carey's ire for refusing to renew the triennial certificate he needed to resume working in real estate.
Mr Carey took his dispute with Consumer Protection to the SAT, which overruled Ms Driscoll's refusal to renew the certificate, before the commissioner asked the Court of Appeal for a determination.
"Today's Court of Appeal judgment means that the commissioner's original decision is reinstated and Mr Carey is not entitled to operate as a real estate agent in WA," Consumer Protection said.
It remains unclear if Mr Carey will try other legal avenues to win back his licence.
Westpoint collapsed in 2005, costing about 4000 investors an estimated $300 million.
