The former operators of a Thai restaurant in Newcastle are facing legal action for allegedly failing to make superannuation payments to three staff members and then attempting to cover it up with false pay slips.
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has launched proceedings against Greathunter, which operated Larnna Thai in Honeysuckle, and the sole director of the company, Chengda Li. Larnna Thai closed earlier this year after an investigation into the company as part of a campaign targeting Newcastle food outlets.
The FWO alleges that Mr Li was involved in Greathunter failing to make required superannuation payments to three employees across two years. The employees included two cooks and one waiter, one of whom was aged between 19 and 21 and another who was a Thai international student.
The employees were engaged at Larnna Thai for various periods between November 2021 and October 2023. The FWO alleges Greathunter made more than $23,000 in superannuation payments to the employees in 2025, long after the investigation had begun.
The FWO further alleges that Mr Li and Greathunter breached the Fair Work Act by knowingly or recklessly providing false pay slips twice during the investigation that stated super entitlements had been paid. They allegedly committed a further breach by falsely telling the FWO the pay slips had been prepared by Greathunter's accountant when Mr Li had made them himself.
FWO Anna Booth said the alleged conduct warranted litigation, with the company and Mr Li to face the Federal Circuit and Family Court. Greathunter faces penalties of up to $93,900 per breach and Mr Li could face penalties of up to $18,780 per breach.
