Education Minister Blair Boyer says most schools he visits complain of not liking the $4b Ventia contract

The Education Minister has blasted a $4b South Australian contract claiming many schools he visits ’almost always’ raise the issue.

Education Minister Blair Boyer says most schools he visits complain of not liking the $4b Ventia contract. Picture: Ben Clark

The state government’s $4 billion contract with the stock-exchange listed Ventia is failing schools at an alarming level, the Education Minister says.

“I have visited many of these schools, and almost always, they raise Ventia as an issue,’’ Education Minister Blair Boyer said. “Quite frankly it’s not good enough and they deserve better.’’

The $4b contract with Ventia is failing schools at an alarming level, the Education Minister says

The Advertiser reported this week, the Auditor-General had slammed the contract, which could last 11 years and cost taxpayers more than $4 billion. In the 2023-24 financial year, the state government paid Ventia $514 million.

Under the contract, Ventia is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of all government buildings including, schools, office blocks, hospitals and prisons. It was awarded by the previous Liberal government in 2021.

The Auditor General criticised Ventia for allowing contractors to charge above the maximum rate, for taking too long to carry out repairs and being a cybersecurity threat.

In the report, the auditor also said the Department of Infrastructure and Transport which manages the contract was still trying to “understand the potential magnitude of subcontractor overcharges’’.

Ventia is also one of the companies in the consortium chosen to build the South Rd tunnels.

Mt Gambier MP Troy Bell had previously highlighted to parliament a number of instances where the contract could potentially cost taxpayers money.

Education Minister Blair Boyer at Seacliff Primary School. Picture: Ben Clark

In one example, Mr Bell said a local primary school had its gutter cleaned once a year in July in time for the wetter winter months by a local contractor who charged around $500. Another Ventia contractor was then sent unannounced in December and submitted a bill for $5000.

A department spokesperson said that bill had not been paid.

“The gutter cleaning bill of $5000 at McDonald Park Primary School has not been paid by the school or the department,’’ the spokesperson said. “In line with existing processes, the school has rejected the claim from Ventia, who are now investigating the matter.’’

Another example given by Mr Bell involved the Michelle De Garis Memorial Kindergarten in Naracoorte in the state’s south east which he said was quoted $65,000 to build a fence that a local contractor estimated would cost $2000.

The department spokesperson said the Ventia quote was for a fence of 181 linear metres, where a local contractor quoted $2000 for 10 linear metres and the installation of an air-lock, double entry gate.

Mr Bell also told parliament that a cover for the basketball court on at Compton Primary School on the edge of Mt Gambier was quoted at $100,000 by a local contractor and $300,000 by Ventia.

A government spokesperson said the Ventia quote was for a bigger area to be covered and the school had elected not to proceed with the project.

A spokesperson for Ventia said the company was “committed to high standards of performance across all our contracts, including with the Department of Infrastructure and Transport’’.