Taskforce will make trip to city

Probe into building industry rip-offs

THE Special Joint Taskforce given the job of probing building industry rip-offs that have left thousands of Queensland subcontractors out of pocket will visit Toowoomba as part of its work.

The crack team of special investigators yesterday started work, after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk established the taskforce to conduct a forensic examination of the circumstances surrounding the failure of a number of major construction companies.

“Any individual who has engaged in illegal, fraudulent activity so they can rob subbies of their hard-earned money should be very worried right now,” the Premier said.

“As soon as the taskforce team collects enough evidence to support criminal charges, they will immediately refer the matter to the relevant prosecuting authorities.

“And any tradie who has been ripped off, those who have seen their businesses and families suffer from illegal and downright immoral conduct… well, they deserve justice.”

The independent taskforce – headed by former Supreme Court Justice John Byrne – has begun accepting submissions from the public.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said information guidelines had been created to assist people with the process.

“The taskforce is accepting submissions through a secure online portal, via email, post and at face-to face interviews,” Mr de Brenni said.

“Investigators will travel to Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast and Toowoomba, and also meet with people in Brisbane, so as many people as possible will have an opportunity to engage with the taskforce in person.”

Submissions will be accepted up until 5pm on Friday, May 17, with a final report and recommendations due to State Government by June 30.

For more information or head to www.qld.gov.au/specialjointtaskforce.