Sold ... an official complaint has been lodged after an auctioneer refused to accept the highest bid on a million-dollar deceased estate.
Top bid for $1.5m deceased estate refused
Wanted $10k increments, but bidder offered $5000
Winning bidder says loser`s manner was `obnoxious`
TWO prominent Brisbane identities are at loggerheads after a Queensland Government auctioneer refused to accept the highest bid for a million-dollar riverfront property.
In a bizarre case which has prompted an official complaint and left real estate experts dumbfounded, the Queensland Public Trustee refused to accept a bid $5000 higher than the winning $1.54 million offer for a deceased estate at West End.
The auction last week has left outraged losing bidder David Waller - the nephew of billionaire property tycoon and former Super A-Mart owner John van Lieshout - threatening legal action unless another sale is held.
Mr Waller had offered $1.545 million as the bidding petered out but the bid was rejected because auctioneer Wayne Johnson wanted $10,000 increments.
The sale was awarded to a preceding offer by a mystery female friend of Brisbane doctor and one-time aspiring Liberal politician Ingrid Tall.
Mr Waller yesterday was backed by several witnesses.
"No person would refuse $5000 or more, particularly when they are in a process designed to get the highest price," Mr Waller said. "It raises questions about the transparency of the process."
The Public Trustee was acting as an administrator of the two-bedroom home, built in 1915, which has river views.
Dr Tall initially refused to discuss the bid process but yesterday said Mr Waller was "too obnoxious making his bids".
"If he was nice, he probably would have got his way," Dr Tall said.
Attorney-General Kerry Shine defended the Trustee, saying the auctioneer had told bidders of the increment limit.
"The beneficiary to the estate was present and was aware of the conduct of the auctioneer," he said.
However, several witnesses have confirmed the property was deemed "on the market" when the bid was rejected.
Ray White South Brisbane auctioneer Neal Young yesterday said he had never felt so disgusted in his 20-year career.
"There was utter disbelief," Mr Young said. "I said: `You`ve got to take the bid`. He didn`t know if bids would go even higher."
Real Estate Institute of Queensland chairman Peter McGrath said the ruling was a rarity.
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