IT IS as quintessentially Australian as a meat pie with mushy peas.
But iconic Australian brand Driza-Bone, made internationally famous by the Sydney Olympics and as Australia's national dress at the 2007 APEC conference, is being sued by Queensland's Commissioner of State Revenue for more than $80,000 in unpaid taxes, The Australian reports.
The company, established in 1898 and renowned for its oilskin coats, was taken over by Melbourne wool exporters Mark Mackinnon and William Lempriere in late 2008 after decades of foreign ownership.
In a claim filed in the Queensland District Court on January 7, the Commissioner of State Revenue said Driza-Bone needed to pay $83,012.36 in unpaid payroll tax and interest.
The unpaid tax is from the 2008-09 financial year, and July, August and September last year.
"The defendant has failed to pay any of the monies owing to (the Commissioner), and the amount of $83,012.36 remains due and owing," the statement of claim reads. Driza-Bone director Mark Mackinnon yesterday told The Australian that he found out about the unpaid tax only one week ago.
He said the company was organising to pay the money quickly.
"It's possible this may have been something that slipped through the cracks," Mr Mackinnon said.
Mr Mackinnon said the first 12 months of running Driza-Bone had been challenging. "There was more to turn around than we thought," he said.
However Mr Mackinnon said the company was moving forward with various initiatives including the first clothing range controlled by the new owners that will be released next month.
Mr Mackinnon and Mr Lempriere are the directors of Driza-Bone and also the sole shareholders, through their personal companies.
The Lempriere family has been exporting wool to international fashion houses, including Britain's Burberry and Zegna in Italy, for 150 years.
