Kathleen Skene

Staff and clients of a Gold Coast job agency have been left in the lurch days before Christmas, it can be revealed, when it collapsed owing more than $1.5m.

A decision is expected within weeks on a landmark Federal Court case examining how a disgraced ex-lawyer was able to avoid bankruptcy – and the bulk of his debts – using a contentious insolvency agreement.

Three companies behind well-known Gold Coast restaurants are in liquidation with hefty debts – but two of the venues have stayed open with the same ownership.

Star Entertainment Group has pulled three last-minute deals out of its hat that look likely to save the company from almost certain collapse.

Everything from Barbie dolls to lawnmowers is likely to get more expensive as Australian shoppers and retailers become collateral in an escalating trade war between the United States and China.

Work on a stalled $50m Hilton hotel in central Brisbane is “weeks away” from restarting, according to its developer.

A nationwide panel beating group has crashed, with seven companies in liquidation and debts of at least $4.7m, including a hefty tax bill.

The liquidation of a major hardware store will have a silver lining for tradies, with more than 20,000 new top brand tools up for auction at below retail prices.

A Gold Coast former property developer who spent investor funds on jewellery, a house for his wife, uni fees for his son and online gambling has been handed an eight-year jail term.

Companies which took in more than $92m – supposedly to build disability housing – but instead allegedly funnelled it into luxury cars, cryptocurrency, sports memorabilia, and high-stakes gambling – have been ordered into liquidation.