An Adelaide real estate boss has been stripped of his licence after a tribunal ruled he was not a \u201cfit and proper person\u201d to sell homes or manage properties. <\/p>\n
The state\u2019s consumer watchdog cancelled the registration of Robert Leendert De Jonge, 52, a former councillor and failed political candidate who traded as Dukes Real Estate.<\/p>\n
But Mr De Jonge, a southern suburbs father-of-three from Happy Valley, \u201cchallenged\u201d a Consumer and Business Services\u2019 decision over 11 legal and professional breaches.<\/p>\n
In a scathing judgment, the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal last week criticised his lack of \u201chonesty, rigour and discipline that could be reasonably expected by the community\u201d.<\/p>\n
The tribunal heard he admitted dozens of traffic fine \u201cmistakes\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mr De Jonge, a f<\/a>ormer Onkaparinga councillor<\/a>who also failed to win a seat in parliament as an independent candidate at the 2010 election, claimed he was \u201c100 per cent perfect\u201d in his compliance and defended his breaches as \u201cminor issues\u201d.<\/p>\n The tribunal also laid bare his extraordinary driving record, revealing he had received more than 45 traffic fines and lost his licence eight times. <\/p>\n He instead viewed the fines as \u201csimply as an occupational hazard\u201d and, when disqualified, \u201ctakes the opportunity to travel overseas on holiday until he can drive again\u201d.<\/p>\n Senior tribunal member Helen Ward said she was satisfied 11 allegations against Mr De Jonge, over a six-year period, were \u201csubstantially correct\u201d.<\/p>\n These included failures to have proper written contracts and have trust accounts or records audited. <\/p>\n He also failed to return money held in trust and keep separate land agent and community title accounts. <\/p>\n Ms Ward said public confidence and trust \u201cwould be compromised\u201d if he kept his licence.<\/p>\n She condemened him for persisting in \u201cminimising, shrugging off and otherwise failing to take responsibility for his conduct\u201d and his \u201cgeneral disregard for the law\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cI have taken into account (Mr De Jonge\u2019s) history of noncompliance of, and disregard for, the law and his lack of real insight, reform and rehabilitation,\u201d she ruled.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a result, I cannot be satisfied that (he) is possessed of sufficient moral integrity and rectitude of character as to permit him to be safely accredited to the public \u2026 to be entrusted with the work of a registered land agent.\u201d<\/p>\n Consumer and Business Affairs Minister Michael Brown warned: \u201cWe will not tolerate deliberate flouting of the law.\u201d<\/p>\n CBS Commissioner Brett Humphrey said as property owners and tenants \u201cput a tremendous amount of trust\u201d in such managers his agency will take \u201cappropriate action\u201d for wrongdoers.<\/p>\n Mr De Jonge, who owned his business for 17 years, on Sunday said he would not appeal and would be forced to find a new job.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m thinking of moving to Dubai and they will lose good people if they continue being so tough,\u201d he said of the government. <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t really get it. It\u2019s a bit over the top. I will accept it.\u201d<\/p>\n Complaints about licence holders failing to meet their obligations can be reported to CBS on 131 882.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"An Adelaide real estate boss has been stripped of his licence after a tribunal ruled he was 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