Mac Point Minister’s “Hands Off” Approach to Due Diligence Should Worry Tasmanians

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This morning during Question Time I asked the Treasurer what due diligence has been done when selecting bidders for the Macquarie Point stadium construction tender. His “nothing to see here” response should worry Tasmanians.

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Webuild, one of two bidders shortlisted, are under serious scrutiny in NSW, with findings that WeBuild used sub-contractors who engaged in suspected tax evasion, worker exploitation, safety breaches and insurance fraud. Some of these matters have been referred to police. The NSW Government has known about the allegations for months.

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Treasurer Abetz found time to table a statement on behalf of Webuild in response to my question. But he hasn’t even picked up the phone to his NSW Liberal counterpart to ask basic questions, instead insisting that decision making is at arm’s length, and that these are just allegations.

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By the time these allegations are fully investigated it will be too late to remove WeBuild from this project if they are the successful bidder. 

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This hands-off approach by the State Government and the Treasurer to Government Business Enterprises and their handling of major projects contributed to the billion-dollar Spirits debacle.

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