A politician has called for an investigation into the parents of the current Miss Universe Australia after it emerged their bankrupt companies owe creditors tens of millions of dollars.
In a statement to Victoria Parliament on Tuesday evening, Victoria’s shadow minister and former opposition leader Matthew Guy called on the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) to reopen the investigation into Moraya Wilson’s parents, Anton and Melinda.
Moraya won the Australian leg of the Miss Universe pageant in Melbourne on September 1. Just a day later, her parents’ debts and her title as director of ten companies with thousands of dollars in taxes were revealed.
Anton Wilson has been banned from running companies by ASIC until 2027, while his ex-wife Melinda was banned from running companies for five years in March last year.
The lengthy bans stem from their failed companies being owed more than $45 million, of which around $21 million is reportedly owed to the Australian Taxation Office.
A politician has called for an investigation into the parents of Miss Universe Australia, Moraya Wilson (pictured), after it emerged their companies were owed more than $45 million.
During his statement to state parliament, Mr Guy said a number of his constituents had contacted his office concerned about the “actions of Mr and Mrs Wilson”.
“I do note that there is a lot of money to be blamed and involved in this issue, and many Victorians are hurting financially and are seeking legal redress,” Mr Guy said.
“It is not right that a number of companies associated with these individuals continue to exist while tens of millions of dollars in unpaid debt remain outstanding.”
The MP revealed that ASIC had previously investigated the couple but that the investigation had ‘bizarrely’ concluded ‘without any serious efforts to seek financial redress or assist those seeking justice’.
“How is it that our federal regulators can’t open or reopen investigations into people who owe so much money to so many?” asked Mr. Guy.
Mr. Guy requested that the State Assistant Treasurer’s liaison contact his federal counterpart, Stephen Jones, to “immediately reopen an investigation” into Mr. and Mrs. Wilson.
He also called on Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan to put pressure on the ‘Feds’ to conduct a swift investigation in the interests of the ‘concerned Victorians who have been financially hurt’.
During his statement, Mr Guy also addressed Ms Wilson’s status as the sole director of ten of the family’s businesses which are also in the red and have tens of thousands of debts.
Ny Breaking Australia has contacted Moraya Wilson for comment.
She has previously denied having any knowledge of the companies, nor that she is an active director of any of them.
Victoria’s shadow transport minister, Matthew Guy (pictured), called on the state’s aid treasurer to contact his federal counterpart to immediately investigate Anton and Mellissa’s business dealings.
Moraya recently rejected a petition calling for her to give up her title due to her family ties and is currently in El Salvador representing Australia in the international portion of the pageant.
It’s the latest hit for the 21-year-old after a petition was launched last week calling on her to relinquish her crown as Australia’s top model.
Willy Bagatcholon, who describes himself as a human rights advocate, is behind the petition and has called on the signatories to strip Moraya Wilson of her crown as Miss Universe Australia.
“In light of recent reports that Moraya Wilson and her parents are involved in an alleged tax evasion of approximately $100 million, her actions do not align with Miss Universe’s message,” the petition said.
“This is why I think Moraya Wilson should resign from her position as Miss Universe Australia.”
Although Moraya said she was aware of the petition, she also said she still plans to participate in the international competition. news.com.au reported.
“I intend to fulfill my duties as Miss Universe Australia to the best of my ability, with the full support of the management of Miss Universe Australia,” she said.
Moraya is currently in El Salvador to represent Australian in the international leg of the Miss Universe competition.