Question regarding the unauthorised use of WA government logos in advertisements for property investment seminars targeting Australian permanent residency. The government agency issued a cease and desist letter and received an apology.

AnsweredQoN 570Legislative Council
Asked
22 June 2016
Portfolio
Small Business

QuestionView source ↗

PROPERTY INVESTMENT–AUSTRALIAN PERMANENT
RESIDENCY SEMINARS — GOVERNMENT LOGOS AND BRANDING
570. Hon KATE DOUST to the Attorney General
representing the Minister for Small Business:
I refer to the use of state
government logos and branding on advertisements to promote seminars that link
property investment with Australian permanent residency as detailed in The Sunday Times article on 19 June 2016.
(1) What action
has the Small Business Development Corporation taken, or will it take, on the
use of state government logos and branding on advertisements to promote the
three seminars?
(2) Has any
advice been sought on penalties for the misuse of state government logos and
branding, including advice sought from the Department of the Premier and
Cabinet?
(3) If no to (2), why has advice not
been sought?
(4) If yes to
(2), what is the advice on penalties relating to the misuse of the logos or
branding by entities associated with the three seminars?

AnswerView source ↗

On behalf of the Minister for Small
Business, I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The Malaysian
migration agency that placed the advertisement was sent a ''cease and
desist'' letter from the commissioner of the Small Business Development
Corporation. The letter stated that the advertisement was misleading and that
the use of state government logos and branding was unauthorised. The migration
agency responded with acknowledgment of the breach and provided a full apology.
(2) Yes.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) Advice from
the Department of the Premier and Cabinet has confirmed that the response from
the Small Business Development Corporation was appropriate.

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