What happened
A liquidator disciplinary committee has publicly reprimanded registered liquidator Simon John Thorn. The reprimand follows concerns about how Thorn handled his appointment as administrator of Premier Energy Resources Pty Ltd.
What the committee found
The committee found that Thorn failed to make reasonable enquiries after a director disputed signing the document that enabled his appointment. The committee also found that Thorn failed to promptly apply to a court to confirm whether his appointment was valid.
The committee's decision
The committee decided on 4 August 2026 that Thorn can keep his registration but must be publicly reprimanded. The full committee report - Annexure A dated 4 August 2026 - is published on the Registered Liquidator Disciplinary Decisions page at asic.gov.au.
Guidance from the committee
The committee's decision includes guidance stating that any dispute over the validity of a liquidator's appointment must trigger immediate enquiries. If the dispute is not resolved, the liquidator is required to make a prompt court application rather than continue exercising their powers in the meantime.
Key actions
- The Register of Liquidators at asic.gov.au is available to confirm whether a registered liquidator or insolvency practitioner is currently registered and has no disciplinary action recorded against them.
- The full committee report - Annexure A dated 4 August 2026 - is published on the Registered Liquidator Disciplinary Decisions page at asic.gov.au.
- Insolvency practitioners can review the committee's guidance: any dispute over the validity of an appointment must trigger immediate enquiries and, if unresolved, a prompt court application - not continued exercise of powers.
This is a plain-English summary for information only, not legal or compliance advice. Always check the official source or consult a qualified professional.