New Zealand

Queensland govt freezes more of NZ man's assets

21:30 pm on 10 January 2012

A state government in Australia has frozen further assets from a New Zealand-born public servant accused of fleecing Queensland Health of $A11 million.

It is alleged Hohepa Morehu-Barlow, also known as Joel Barlow, funnelled the money into his own account in November last year.

Police are also investigating allegations he stole a further $A5 million, AAP reports.

The Queensland government moved quickly to freeze the 36-year-old's assets after he was arrested in December last year and charge with one count of fraud.

On Tuesday, lawyers acting for the state obtained orders in the Supreme Court in Brisbane to restrain further items, including luxury cars and jet skis seized by police last year.

The court also ordered designer goods found at the home of Mr Morehu-Barlow's sister be put under the control of the Public Trustee.

The government is expected to seek orders to restrain more assets later in January.