Case for Royal Commission Investigation
Systemic failures in Western Australia's guardianship and administration system requiring urgent federal inquiry
Mr. Stephen Michael Orazi, a highly skilled IT professional and entrepreneur, is currently under a five-year administration order (GAA 1566/2024, appealed as GAA 4059/2024) imposed by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) of Western Australia. This case exemplifies systemic failures in WA's guardianship system that were highlighted in the 2023 Final Report of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.
The core issues include disability discrimination, financial crippling through excessive fees, denial of due process, business destruction, personal tragedy, and systemic failures with no accountability. While other Australian states are beginning to implement reforms based on the Disability Royal Commission's recommendations, Western Australia has lagged significantly in addressing these critical issues.
Core Allegations
The SAT dismissed Mr. Orazi's testimony and evidence, including his significant business ventures, as "chronic delusions" due to his diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. Direct quote from tribunal notes:
"DE KLER MS: … if Stephen's handling large financial transactions with coder, which seams to be keeping with his chronic delusions…"
This occurred despite supporting evidence from his clinical psychologist and tangible proof of his business operations (functioning websites, 20-year development history, professional credentials). The tribunal member disregarded objective evidence in favor of stereotype-based judgment.
Exorbitant Fees
Over $20,000 per year in Public Trustee fees, depleting assets with no transparency or accountability.
Failure to Pay Critical Bills
ASIC company registration not paid (resulting in $500 late fee and decommissioning risk), phone bills unpaid, business expenses ignored.
Missed Investment Opportunities
Classic Minerals Ltd (ASX:CLZ) - offered 100 million shares at low price, blocked by SAT. Stock later rose dramatically, resulting in potential missed gains of hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.
Inability to Access R&D Benefits
Public Trustee lacks business acumen to access R&D tax incentives and government grants that Mr. Orazi would otherwise be eligible for.
Mr. Orazi is trapped in an impossible situation where he cannot challenge the orders against him because he lacks the financial means to secure legal representation—a direct result of the administration order itself. This creates a fundamental denial of due process and access to justice.
Legal Aid WA and Ruah Legal Services have both stated they cannot represent him due to the complexity of the case and resource constraints. Without legal representation, he cannot effectively appeal the SAT orders or challenge the Public Trustee's actions.
Mr. Orazi's legitimate software development company has been effectively destroyed by the SAT orders. His company, JediTek.net Pty. Ltd., includes:
- iSkoolEDU Enterprise - Learning Management Platform
- The SchoolZone - Educational Network Database
- WONGI - World Organisation Network Gateway Interface
- AppHitcher.com - 500+ FileMaker templates
- MediVac One - Medical institution platform
All products are live and functional at jeditek.com.au, apphitcher.com, and wongi.com.au. Yet the SAT dismissed these tangible assets as "chronic delusions," preventing Mr. Orazi from accessing his company bank account, paying registration fees, or applying for grants.
Most tragically, Mr. Orazi alleges that the Public Trustee's refusal to allow him to send money to his wife in Indonesia for medical treatment directly contributed to her death on July 7, 2024.
His wife had been begging for money to seek healthcare for an infected leg. Unable to access his own funds due to the administration order, Mr. Orazi could only send her an Australia Post debit card with $20—all he could afford. She was forced to self-medicate with inappropriate medication, which destroyed her immune system. She died in a taxi on the way to the hospital.
If Mr. Orazi had not been restricted by the SAT orders, his wife would still be alive today.
Systemic Context
Mr. Orazi's experience is a case study in the systemic failings of guardianship systems identified at a national level. The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability made several key recommendations in its 2023 Final Report that are directly relevant to this case:
Move from substituted to supported decision-making
Mr. Orazi has been placed under a substituted decision-making model, despite evidence of his capacity to make his own decisions with support.
Reform guardianship and administration legislation
The Guardianship and Administration Act 1990 (WA) has not been reformed to incorporate modern, human rights-based approaches.
Review Public Trustee fees and transparency
Mr. Orazi is being charged exorbitant fees with little transparency or accountability. This is a nationwide issue, with the head of WA's Public Trustee publicly calling for fee subsidies in June 2025.
Improve participation of people with disability in tribunal proceedings
Mr. Orazi alleges he was effectively silenced and his evidence dismissed during his SAT hearing.
Requested Actions
1. Royal Commission or Independent Inquiry
Establish a Royal Commission or independent inquiry into the operations of the State Administrative Tribunal and Public Trustee of Western Australia, with specific focus on disability discrimination, excessive fees, and lack of accountability.
2. Immediate Review of Mr. Orazi's Case
Conduct an urgent review of the administration orders against Mr. Orazi, including independent capacity assessments by qualified professionals not affiliated with the SAT or Public Trustee.
3. Legislative Reform
Implement the Disability Royal Commission's recommendations in Western Australia, including moving to supported decision-making frameworks and reforming the Guardianship and Administration Act 1990 (WA).
4. Accountability Mechanisms
Establish robust oversight and accountability mechanisms for SAT members and the Public Trustee, including independent complaints processes and regular audits.
5. Fee Reform
Review and cap Public Trustee fees, with transparency requirements and subsidies for vulnerable individuals to prevent financial exploitation.
References
- "Public Trustee wants WA government to cut fees for most vulnerable," ABC News, June 18, 2025
- "Calls for public trustee and guardianship reform after financial mismanagement revealed," ABC News, March 17, 2022
- Disability Royal Commission, Final Report - Volume 6, Enabling autonomy and access, September 29, 2023
- Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA)
- Guardianship and Administration Act 1990 (WA)