Labor raises concerns over Sunshine Coast transport project’s contract roles
The Queensland opposition has expressed concern over a decision to hand over commercial roles on a major infrastructure project to members of a new consultancy firm that recently spun off from another government agency.
The Department for Transport and Main Roads has confirmed that it has appointed two members of the new Nexus Infrastructure Partners as commercial directors. Wave project on the Sunshine Coast.
Partners Ted Williams and David Kalinowski announced the new firm last month after completing more than five years in senior commercial roles at the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority.
A spokesperson for the department said the pair were two of The Wave’s four commercial managers and were appointed to their roles as contractors through an open market tender process. first reported by this masthead.
Williams and Kalinowski did not respond to approaches for comment. This imprint does not suggest any wrongdoing by the couple.
In a statement to this imprint, Labour’s transport spokesman Bart Mellish labeled the detail “deeply worrying” and said it only added to the “muddy waters” around the hybrid bus and train project.
“Contracts for multibillion-dollar transportation projects must be managed free of any potential or perceived risk of corruption; taxpayers deserve that respect,” Mellish said.
“There is now a cloud hanging over this multi-billion dollar project… and Queenslanders deserve better.”
A spokesman for Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said only in response to questions on Tuesday: “Although the former Labor government asked the corrupt CFMEU who they should appoint, this appointment occurred through an open market tender process.”
Mellish also pointed out reported links The lobbyist who competed with Mickelberg to win a contract on the project is among one of his brother-in-law’s clients.
Both Mickelberg and his brother-in-law, former Tasmanian Liberal Party director Pete Coulson, have denied that any improper lobbying took place, and this imprint does not suggest otherwise.
Mellish stated that The Wave would build a new station near Deputy Prime Minister Jarrod Bleijie’s home; This is something Bleijie is working on. declared conflict of interest.
government last month Added stages one through three of The Wave A contentious plan to accelerate Olympic delivery and override existing planning laws.
Announcing the changes added to the bill by Olympic and Paralympic Games Minister Tim Mander, Bleijie said it would “eliminate bureaucratic delays”.
Mellish said: “These now exempt The Wave project from development application processes, public notice periods, third-party objection rights and … any independent public review.”
While the LNP is heading into the election promising passenger rail to Maroochydore as part of its public transport The Wave project, train lines will only be built to Birtinya, where Brisbane Metro-style rapid buses will continue to Sunshine Coast Airport at Marcoola.
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Matt Dennien is a reporter covering state politics and public services for the Brisbane Times. He previously worked for newspapers in Tasmania and Brisbane community radio station 4ZZZ. Contact him securely on Signal @mattdennien.15Connect via email.
