Pay dispute on TSRC
Watts questions minister
TOOWOOMBA North MP Trevor Watts has raised the issue of subcontractors being underpaid while working on the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing project.
The issue was raised in the Queensland Parliament.
Asking a question without notice to Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey last week, Mr Watts said he had heard about subcontractors being forced to take court action due to not receiving payments from Nexus.
“Will the minister assure the House that Toowoomba local subcontractors are not being forced to initiate costly court proceedings against Nexus just to get what they are owed,” Mr Watts asked.
Mr Bailey said the project had a high local content provision of about 75 per cent to ensure local businesses benefit from the project.
“Of course all subcontractors should be compensated and paid appropriately and in a timely fashion,” he said.
“If (Mr Watts) has any specific instances where he is dissatisfied and he wishes to provide them to me, I am happy to follow them up.”
A Nexus spokeswoman said she was unable to provide any information as the case was currently with the minister.
Court documents obtained by the Chronicle in April showed Nexus allegedly underpaid a subcontractor on the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing project $86,000.
The case was lodged in the District Court of Queensland.
Mr Bailey last week dramatically suspended works on the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing projects after several safety incidents, including two 28mm reinforcement bars falling on top of a bus.
An independent audit into the project last week found there had been 18 plant rollovers on the project and recommended Nexus implement 51 changes to safety procedures at the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing.
Nexus CEO John Hagan said the company welcomed the audit and would implement all of the 51 safety recommendations.