Last raises stadium contractor allegations

THE State Government needs to launch an investigation into the latest controversy to hit the Townsville stadium project, an Opposition MP has said.

Shadow minister for north Queensland and Burdekin MP Dale Last said the allegations levelled against managing contractor Watpac by the CFMEU needed to be taken seriously.

“There needs to be an investigation into the allegations to determine their veracity because it’s clearly apparent that there are significant issues on site,” he said. “There are more questions than answers coming out of this.”

Mr Last’s comments come after the State Government on Friday sensationally accused Watpac of failing to pay workers fair wages despite being given more funds to do so.

The Government vowed to hold contractor Watpac to account following allegations from the CFMEU that “lies, intimidation and standover tactics” were being used to deny proper wages to workers on the North Queensland Stadium.

But Watpac managing director Martin Monro rejected the CFMEU’s “fabricated claims”.

Mr Munro said the union’s allegations Watpac was trying to recoup losses and underpay subcontractors were an “absurd attempt” to mislead the Townsville community and create ill will.

Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni said the State Government made “no apology” for ensuring Townsville workers were paid the same as those in southeast Queensland.

“I have repeatedly made it clear to Watpac that local workers must get the same conditions as southeast Queensland,” he said.

“And Watpac had agreed to deliver that to subcontractors and their workers.”

Mr Last said Queenslanders deserved to know the truth about what was going on at the project site.