GOVERNMENT DEFENDS CENTRE WORKERS’ DEALS
THE Premier and Public Works Minister have held firm on local participation quotas applied to the $176m Cairns Convention Centre upgrade despite tender documents revealing many major work packages have been awarded to southern firms.
While smaller packages such as security CCTV, rubbish removal, artwork, general equipment hire, signs, fire protection and temporary fencing have gone to Cairnsbased firms, larger jobs remain dominated by Brisbane and Townsville companies.
Electrical, pile driving, hydraulics, AV systems, roof replacement and scaffolding contracts were won by out-oftown firms, while ceilings/doors and mechanical contracts have been shared between Cairns and southern companies.
During an official sod turning ceremony onsite at the convention centre on Wednesday Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said local workers had been employed on the upgrade.
“We have just met local workers on local projects — $176m is a big investment in Cairns,” she said. “This is going to be a fantastic convention centre, it’s exactly what Cairns and the tropical Far North need to kick start tourism when we can get to that stage.”
Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni defended the best practice test case on regional government large-scale building projects, which had been criticised for paying wages far higher than workers on nongovernment sites.
“We have set a standard where we believe workers should get good wages, good conditions, a safe workplace and I have spoken to workers on site this morning and think it’s fair,” he said. “We always think it’s fair to make sure workers get the wages they deserve.
“I don’t accept the premise that driving down wages is a good outcome for the Cairns economy.
“Everybody wants to see workers get a decent wage.”