Double whammy of contract loss in T2D controversy
The Torrens to Darlington Alliance has made a tough call over ongoing controversy surrounding crime links to the megaproject.
The consortium of companies building the $15.4 billion Torrens to Darlington (T2D) project has suspended its contract with a commercial cleaning company connected to a firm that was allegedly infiltrated by bikies.
Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis and Infrastructure and Transport Minister Joe Szakacs called a special media conference this afternoon to announce hat the T2D Alliance had suspended the contract with LYLA.
They blamed the decision on the commercial cleaning company having a common shareholding with labour hire firm Career Boss Australia.
Last month, it was revealed that a member of the outlaw Comanchero bikie gang was involved in court proceedings with Career Boss, a company that had been providing labour hire services on the mammoth infrastructure project.
This morning, it was revealed that Career Boss Australia’s contract had been terminated.
According to the state government, there was no suggestion of wrongdoing by LYLA, its shareholders, directors or owners.
“The decision to suspend LYLA has been made out of an abundance of caution because of the common shareholders,” an announcement said.
Koutsantonis said the “message is clear – we have a zero tolerance approach to wrongdoing on any of our infrastructure projects, and will act even at its suggestion”.
“That’s why the T2D Alliance has taken this strong action to first suspend and now terminate Career Boss Australia’s contract, as well as suspend the contract of LYLA because of a common shareholding,” Koutsantonis said.
Szakacs said the state government had “strong requirements and protections in place to keep violence, intimidation and criminal behaviour away from our infrastructure projects”.
“This is made clear to every worker and every business engaged on our projects, but if anyone’s missed the message, let this be a reminder.
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“Our state’s largest infrastructure project is on time and on budget, and we won’t let any suggestion of unacceptable behaviour get in the way of us delivering a non-stop South Road.”
Last week, South Australian Independent Commission Against Corruption Commissioner Emma Townsend confirmed she would “conduct an evaluation” of the Infrastructure and Transport Department after news of the Career Boss links emerged.
Townsend said the evaluation would focus on “the controls and processes involved in the procurement and contract management of major infrastructure projects”.
“This will include the frameworks and safeguards needed to protect against infiltration by organised crime,” she said.
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