Local contractors and sub-contractors are seething after being overlooked for government work at the new $44 million emergency department at the local hospital.
They’re incensed with the Palaszczuk Labor Government splurging taxpayers’ money on propaganda clearly stating its procurement policy gives weighting up to 30% to local businesses and workers.
LNP Shadow Minister for Housing and Public Works Stephen Bennett said Labor’s campaign to ‘Buy Queensland’ was a sham.
“It’s nothing short of organised deceit, using taxpayers’ money,” Mr Bennett said.
Mr Bennett said local builders and contractors were stunned by the awarding of all contracts for the new emergency department being awarded to interstate and outsiders.
“This is despite the Premier’s grand promise to the Wide Bay Burnett community during her visit last month that local contractors would be used and that 170 local jobs would be created.
“What a disgraceful, hollow promise from the Premier that’s turned out to be a hollow, broken promise, from a hollow, broken government,” Mr Bennett said.
“No contracts for local companies, nothing.”
Mr Bennett said he understood the main contracting company was from Melbourne and not even the electrical, plumbing, mechanical and refrigeration contracts had gone to locals – nothing.
Mr Bennett said the debacle was now causing a major rift between Labor’s Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni and Health Minister Cameron Dick.
“Staff from the Health Minister’s office have been on the phone promising to look into things. But the reality is local companies have missed out and the Palaszczuk Government’s procurement policy has been shown up as an absolute farce.
“I know of three local contractors including electrical and refrigeration contractor whose tenders were competitive and who was set to employ hundreds of local workers and hire many apprentices.
“There’ve been dumped and all that work has gone to out-of-towners through the Melbourne-based construction company that’s been awarded the head contract.
“So much for all the promises from the Premier and the Minister about support local companies.”
Local Member for Hervey Bay Ted Sorensen said detailed planning and preparing of a funding bid for a substantial development in emergency services at Hervey Bay Hospital happened in the LNP’s final year.
“Since Labor has taken over the reins, the on-going processes have been dreadful.
“All Labor seems capable of doing is sending our much-needed local jobs interstate and it’s a complete disgrace,” Mr Sorensen said.
ENDS.