Australian Car Rental Company Director Fined for Underpaying Workers
Nathan Conn, of Enterprise Car Rental Group, was fined $110,000 for underpaying seven employees more than $61,000 between February 2006 and April 2008.
The director of a former Brisbane car rental company has been fined $110,000 in the Brisbane Federal Magistrates Court for underpaying seven workers, following a prosecution by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
According to the Northgate Chronicle, Nathan Conn was the manager and sole director of Enterprise Car Rental Group Pty Ltd., before the company went into liquidation. The company also traded as Abel Car Rental at a number of locations throughout Brisbane.
Federal Magistrate Michael Burnett imposed the fine after finding Conn was involved in Enterprise Car Rental Group committing 28 breaches of workplace laws by underpaying seven employees a total of $61,423 between February 2006 and April 2008. Burnett ordered part of the fine to be paid to the underpaid workers.
Employees were underpaid their minimum hourly rate, annual leave entitlements, superannuation, meal break pay, termination pay and overtime for weekend and public holiday work.
Conn was also involved in failure to pay compensation to one employee after the workplace agreement he was employed under failed a fairness test.
"We will not hesitate to take court action to protect workers' rights," according to Michael Campbell, executive director of the Fair Work Ombudsman. "Successful prosecutions such as this also benefit employers who are complying with workplace laws because it helps them to compete on a level playing field."
The FWO could not prosecute Enterprise Car Rental Group because the company is in liquidation. The agency's prosecutions against former Enterprise Car Rental Group senior managers Tony Hinai and George Halliday were discontinued following mediation.
More Rental Operations
The $100,000 Insurance Trap in Exotic Car Rentals
Exotic rental agencies often rely on customers’ personal auto policies to protect six-figure vehicles. But policy language can dramatically change the coverage for vehicles over $100,000 MSRP.
Read More →
The Booking Is Confirmed, But Is Your Customer Ready to Drive?
For international renters, a confirmed reservation doesn’t always mean they’re eligible to drive. Earlier checks can help operators catch documentation and payment issues before the customer reaches the counter.
Read More →
ICRS 2027 Opens Call for Papers
The International Car Rental Show seeks session proposals on the business, operational, and technology issues facing car rental operators. Submissions are due Jan. 15.
Read More →
Turo to Launch Vehicle Delivery Service
Turo Delivered will let travelers search for vehicles that hosts can deliver directly to hotels, homes, airports, train stations, and other locations.
Read More →
Palm Beach Airport Code Change Creates Car Rental Distribution Gap
A test of rental searches under the old PBI and new DJT airport codes returned largely different sets of brands and vehicles, highlighting a potential distribution problem for rental operators.
Read More →
U-Save Continues Dominican Republic Expansion with Launch in Punta Cana
The new franchise location builds on U-Save’s existing Santo Domingo operation and will begin taking reservations for October 2026.
Read More →
When AI Books the Rental Car, Who Controls the Sale?
As AI moves from comparing rental rates to completing transactions, operators need to understand how travelers find, interpret, rank, and ultimately see their offers. (Part 2 of 2.)
Read More →
European Booked Car Rental Rates Fell 5%, Results Varied by Country
Ireland, Cyprus, and the United Kingdom saw steep declines, while booked rates rose in Poland and Hungary.
Read More →
Is It Time to Rethink Rental Categories?
As traditional economy and compact cars disappear from the market, longtime rental operator Mike DeLorenzo asks whether the industry’s familiar vehicle categories still make sense — and what operators need to rethink along with them.
Read More →
Who Owns the Rate? AI Is Creating a New Distribution Problem for Car Rental
Generative Engine Optimization asks whether AI can find a rental company, but operators also need to know whether the agent inspected enough of the market, compared equivalent offers, and presented a rate the traveler can actually book. (Part 1 of 2)
Read More →