SUBBIES INQUIRY
THE LNP has promised to launch a Commission of Inquiry into Queensland’s building industry if it is elected.
Leader Deb Frecklington has committed to the inquiry to get to the bottom of unscrupulous practices.
More than 50 building companies have collapsed since 2013 leaving more than 7000 subbies unpaid and owed more than $500 million.
QUEENSLAND’S building industry would be probed by a Commission of Inquiry to get to the bottom of 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 in just over 20 months.
It follows shocking revelations uncovered by News Queensland’s Back our Subbies campaign that 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 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 and we need to restore confidence in the Queensland building industry.
“There is no easy fix, but this inquiry will allow people to tell their story.”
Inquiries are currently under way into the high-profile collapse of Rockhamptonbased JM Kelly Builders with regulator the Queensland Building and Construction Commission recently announcing $200,000 for liquidator PwC to conduct a Federal Court examination of what went wrong.