QBCC awards $400k contracts to consultancy firm linked to minister’s former DG

It has been revealed a consultancy firm which was paid more than $400k to review several processes by the building watchdog has links to Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni’s former director-general.

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission awarded more than $400,000 in contracts over seven months to a consultancy firm linked to the relevant Cabinet Minister’s former director-general.

According to data provided to The Sunday Mail, Nous Group was paid $418,865 to review several processes between June 2021 and January, 2022.

Nous Group principal Liza Carroll was the former boss of interim QBCC Commissioner Richard Cassidy, who recently finished up in the role.

The relevant Minister was Housing and Public Works Minister, Mick de Brenni.

Housing and Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni. Picture: Steve Pohlner

The processes that were reviewed by Nous Group were:

■ June 10, 2021 – Professional services – QBCC’s complaints decision making process – $286,000

■ August 9, 2021- Professional services – Review, application of QBCC policy – $36,300

■ November 29, 2021 – Professional services – Review of demerit point allocation and process – $66,565

■ January 21, 2022 – Professional services – Governance Review (Varghese review) – $30,000.

A former Housing and Public Works director-general, Ms Carroll joined Nous Group as a Principal in September, 2020.

She is the former boss of Richard Cassidy, who was appointed Interim QBCC Commissioner when Brett Bassett left early on September 3, 2021.

Nous Group principal Liza Carroll was a former Housing and Public Works director-general. Photo: Claudia Baxter

Mr Cassidy was then replaced by Ms Anissa Levy as permanent CEO on February 14, 2022.

LNP spokesman Michael Hart said he believed it was unacceptable the building watchdog was spending hundreds of thousands of dollars bringing in outside consultants from one firm to review the policies and procedures of the QBCC.

“Liza Carroll worked closely with Minister Mick de Brenni for several years, and now the company where she’s employed as a principal is cashing-in on contracts being awarded by the QBCC, which is also under the Minister’s jurisdiction,” Mr Hart said.

“Isn’t that what the commission’s senior staff are already being paid handsomely to do? “Clearly, there are plenty of red-flags at the moment when it comes to what the QBCC is spending money on, and who is actually benefiting from the building watchdog leaking money.’’

Nous Group is an international management consultancy. Its website says: We work with senior executives across the public, private and community sectors on their most complex, most consequential, strategic issues.’’

Nous and Ms Carroll were contacted for comment but did not respond.