Local MP Stephen Bennett wants subbies in the building industry with a complaint about not being paid by dodgy builders to come forward.
A special Joint Taskforce will be investigating allegations of fraud around the collapse of some of Queensland’s biggest construction companies.
The Taskforce is headed up by retired Supreme court Judge Justice John Byrne along with Police Detectives, Queensland Building and Construction Commission investigators and experts from the Office of Public Prosecutions.
Mr Bennett has seen too many local and Queensland subbies suffer financial loss and hardship through not being paid by dodgy building operators.
“Most subbies affected are the little guys who can least afford the loss, and they’ve felt ignored and powerless,” Mr Bennett said.
“My LNP colleague Michael Hart, the Shadow Minister for Housing and Public Works, met with the Taskforce yesterday. He was assured that sub-contractors coming forward with their story will be listened to and action taken.”
Mr Bennett wants to assure subbies that anything they submit will be treated in strictest confidence.
“It’s going to be very easy to go the Housing Department website, download the template and fill it in and submit online.
“I’m heartened to know that at last, our subbies are going to be heard – even though it’s too little, too late for many of them.”
“Under the Palaszczuk Government, more than fifty companies have collapsed leaving thousands of subbies out of pocket.
“And not one has been prosecuted by the Labor Government”, Mr Bennett said.
“The LNP believes we need a Commission of Inquiry with the full powers of a Royal Commission to shine a light on Queensland’s building industry.
The Taskforce starts work on Wednesday 27th March for three months to take submissions and investigate complaints. The Taskforce can refer breaches of the law for prosecution, and will report back to the Queensland Government on 30th June 2019 with recommendations for change.
22.03.19