City misses out again
IT IS so disappointing to read that the Australia Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) is looking at appointing a southern-based Tier 1 company to control
$800 million of the $1.2 billion Joint Defence structure.
Defence is being lazy here in taking the easy path.
The Government is being disingenuous here, treating Townsville and North Queensland as second-class Australians in ignoring the capabilities of local industry to deliver a first-class facility.
This is not how it was explained to me by Andrew Robb and Marise Payne when it was announced in 2016.
I am not saying that a Townsville company, or even a consortium of companies could handle the entire scope of this contract.
What I am saying is that by appointing a single Tier 1 contractor as the leader of this, Defence and the Government have consigned Townsville industry to that of wage earners and not controlling projects around which they have capability.
What I am saying is we deserve better.
Infrastructure spending by government has two purposes.
Firstly, it provides the facilities that private enterprise cannot.
Secondly, it supports the local economy and helps grow jobs and wealth in that area.
Too often we are seeing Defence actively exclude Townsville businesses from winning contracts locally.
It is happening now with Defence rolling jobs in multiple cities and states into one job, and forcing local firms out of contention at expression of interest stage.
It is not Phil Thompson’s fault that we are here.
It happened way before he was our local MP. But he is a major part of the solution.
We need the tender process for Defence in Townsville turned on its head.
Instead of making its tender as big as it can, it should be looking to see what can be delivered locally, and working out from there. That way local firms can compete with the Tier 1 companies on a level playing field and win or lose the job on its merits, not because Defence has made a simple job into a multi-million-dollar deal of great complexity.
The worst part is that it is not saving itself or taxpayers any money.
It is reducing competition and that never ends well.
Mick Reilly was chosen to work with Defence in the best interests of local business.
It would appear that his efforts have resulted in zero change of policy and assistance for local industry.
I am calling on all elected officials, from councillors and our Mayor, through state MPS, to the Federal Government to recognise Townsville is different.
We deserve to have our needs met the same way Brisbane and Sydney get theirs met.
If we get a great piece of infrastructure but no residual wealth was created or retained in our community, what is the point of it?
EWEN JONES, Mundingburra.