A north-east tradesman who has already been fined $50,000 for unlicensed building work is back under investigation, with Tasmania’s consumer watchdog issuing a rare public warning to protect potential customers.
Anthony Michael Murfet has been the subject of numerous complaints since 2015, according to Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS).
CBOS says Murfet operates under a string of business names, including Paint Busters, Tony Murfet Maintenance, T.M. Cladding, Home Improvements and AM Wholesalers Builders and Renovators.
The complaints, CBOS alleges, follow a similar pattern. Customers pay sizeable deposits for building, roofing or electrical work, only to find the work never gets started or is left unfinished or poorly done.
“Additionally, much of the work contracted by Anthony Michael Murfet is for prescribed building or plumbing work for which he does not hold a current licence,” CBOS said in its warning.
Murfet’s run-ins with the regulator go back nearly a decade. In 2020, he pleaded guilty to seven offences, including carrying out work without the right licences and was fined $10,000.
Three years later, he was found guilty of another seven offences relating to work carried out in 2021 and 2022, resulting in a $40,000 fine. He also received an infringement notice in 2022.
CBOS said the tradesman is currently under investigation for eight additional offences, including illegal and defective building work, failing to supply contracted services and performing work without required licences.
Under Australian Consumer Law, anyone accepting payment for goods or services is legally required to deliver within the agreed timeframe or within a reasonable time if no deadline is set.
Consumers who believe they have been affected by similar behaviour can contact CBOS for advice or to lodge a complaint.
