Games snub to Aussie outfits

GOLD Coast firms are furious after an overseas company won a multimillion-dollar tender to provide lighting for the Commonwealth Games opening and closing ceremonies.

International Light Sound Design director Jeff Pavey, who has produced shows for artists like Prince, questioned the Government’s support of Australian businesses after his company sought to be a subcontractor as part of the tender process for the event.

“You have to ask serious questions about the commitment of the Government to support local jobs and industry,” Mr Pavey said.

“It (the tender) has actually gone to an English company. These local companies have all done the Olympics and the last Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. They’re very capable of producing world class events like this.”

Mr Pavey said he had left messages with the Premier’s Department and office of Games Minister Kate Jones but was yet to get a response.

“This was a $2 million to $3 million contract. It’s probably three months employment. It would have been at least 20 locals employed,” he said.

GOLDOC deputy CEO Brian Nourse last night said ceremony production company Jack Morton Worldwide was finalising the tender process.

“GOLDOC encourages all suppliers to utilise local Gold Coast contractors wherever possible,” he said. GOLDOC was “delighted” by JMW’s engagement with local businesses, which has seen over 450 people from the Coast attend briefing sessions, he said.

JMW confirmed three bidders had responded to the Invitation to Tender for Lighting Services – one Australian company based in Melbourne and two international companies.

“Following a detailed evaluation process, the preferred bidder’s proposal was assessed as the most comprehensive and ranked first in terms of technical superiority whilst also delivering the best value for money,” JMW Australia managing director Helen Graney said.

I FAIL TO SEE HOW AN ENGLISH COMPANY CAN COME UP WITH A BETTER DEAL GIVEN THEY’RE FLYING ALL THEIR STAFF OVER FROM ENGLAND SOUTHPORT MP ROB MOLHOEK

“The majority of resources to install, operate and dismantle the lighting for the ceremonies will be sourced in Australia.”

But Southport MP Rob Molhoek told the Bulletin: “I fail to see how an English company can come up with a better deal given they’re flying all their staff over from England.”

Opposition Games spokesman John-Paul Langbroek said the Government’s “Buy Queensland” campaign had once again been exposed as a huge con after six Australian companies were overlooked.

“So much for ‘Buy Queensland’. Labor has slapped local companies in the face yet again by awarding the contract ... to an English company,” he said.