Labor MP Leanne Donaldson has been caught out breaking promises to the people of Bundaberg after failing to support the local construction industry.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett warned that it appeared local builders had been stripped of an opportunity to be involved in the construction of Bundaberg’s combined ambulance and fire station, despite Leanne Donaldson’s public assurances that local construction jobs would be created from the project.
Mr Bennett said he had been approached by local builders who raised concerns over the Palaszczuk Government’s unfair tendering constraints which was designed in a way that favoured out-of-town construction companies.
“Local builders are upset that they have been excluded from applying for the contract due to the project having a Conditions of Prequalification rating of three, which basically wipes out all Bundaberg based builders,” Mr Bennett said.
“While our local builders are fully capable and have the financial capacity to be involved in this important project, because they hold a Condition of Prequalification rating of two instead of three they are automatically excluded from the tender process.”
Mr Bennett said it was disgraceful that builders found themselves in this position, given that the local member for Bundaberg had made a public commitment to boost the local construction industry by sourcing jobs locally for the project.
In an interview with Seven Local News about the project, Leanne Donaldson stated: “In construction, there will be about 50 local jobs created and under the contract these will be local jobs.”
Mr Bennett said the member for Bundaberg had failed to stick up for locals and ensure the project was given to local builders and suppliers.
“I pushed for the member for Bundaberg to stand up for local jobs and make sure that the project remained local and she made that commitment… but here we are 12 months down the track and we find out she has lied to the people of Bundaberg,” he said.
“Clearly her commitment was just a cheap political stunt and she has allowed local jobs to be lost. She hasn’t looked after locals whatsoever… she has failed our community.”
ENDS.
April 15, 2016