LNP mobilises for tradies

QUEENSLAND’S building industry would be subject to a Commission of Inquiry investigating unscrupulous practices, including the $500 million non-payment scandal driving the state’s subcontractors to the wall, the LNP has pledged.

LNP Leader Deb Frecklington has committed to establishing the inquiry should she win power at the next state election in 20 months’ time.

It follows shocking revelations by News Corp Queensland’s Back our Subbies campaign that showed more than 50 building companies had collapsed since 2013, leaving more than 7000 subbies unpaid and owed more than $500 million.

Ms Frecklington said the commission of inquiry would have the same powers as a royal commission, including compelling witnesses to take the stand and answer questions.

“Builders are falling over, subbies aren’t getting paid and homeowners are being left devastated,” she said.

“Hardworking Queenslanders aren’t being paid what they’re owed.”

Ms Frecklington said the inquiry would not only probe the underpayment of subbies.

“It will also investigate how developers are gaming the system with the support of banks to protect both their self-interests and the role of senior government figures who were warned of major collapses and failed to act,” she said. “The system is broken. “There is no easy fix, but this inquiry will allow people to tell their story, with the key focus on subcontract payments.”

Inquiries are under way into the collapse of Rockhamptonbased JM Kelly Builders, with regulator the Queensland Building and Construction Commission recently announcing $200,000 in funding for liquidator PwC to conduct a Federal Court examination.

Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni told parliament this month the JM Kelly “failure” had been referred to ASIC by police.

Mr de Brenni has also pointed to new laws introduced to give greater protection to subbies which began on January 1, including potential jail for those mishandling money meant for subbies.

Opposition spokesman Michael Hart said the LNP has given in-principle support to the establishment of a police taskforce to investigate fraud in the building industry.