QBCC criticised for $1m publicity spend as builders struggle to survive

A plan by the embattled Queensland Building and Construction Commission to spend $1m on a glossy publicity campaign using stars from the TV show The Block has been slammed as a ‘vanity’ exercise as builders around the state struggle to survive.

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission – the subject of a costly inquiry into its dysfunctionality – is spending $1 million and using stars from The Block TV series to tell Queenslanders how well it is performing.

Queensland businesses already smashed by the Covid-19 pandemic and recent floods will be furious over the QBCC’s decision to spend $1m on the glossy new campaign, to be launched across the state this week

The QBCC raises most of its funding from its licenses issued to builders and plumbers – many who have struggled in recent months.

It’s understood QBCC board chair Dick Williams, upset by negative coverage in The Courier-Mail, has enlisted several PR firms to work on the slick campaign to improve the public’s perception of the embattled building watchdog.

It’s understood the QBCC’s new campaign will include television ads, digital billboards and a social media blitz.

Staff were told of the campaign on Monday morning.

Celebrity builder Scott Cam is the host of The Block. Picture: Hollie Adams/The Australian

The consultants who worked on the makeover are believed to include Anacta Strategies and Rowland – engaged under what are known as standing offer arrangements.

That’s prompted a Right to Information request from LNP member for Burleigh Michael Hart,

seeking “the names of external consultants/companies engaged by the QBCC or the QBCC Board, the reasons hired and breakdown of expenditure between December 2020 and December 2021”.

While the LNP waits for that response, Mr Hart said it was clear the new campaign was a misplaced priority for the QBCC, which has been rocked by serious allegations of ministerial intervention, conflicts of interest of board members and a lack of transparency.

Former senior public servant Jim Varghese is conducting the inquiry.

“This vanity campaign … is a futile effort to disguise the fundamental failings of the QBCC,” Mr Hart said.

“As the old saying goes, they can put some lipstick on the pig but it’s still a pig. It’s just

cosmetic change.

Member for Burleigh Michael Hart. File picture

“Surely dud Minister Mick de Brenni could have pulled the plug on this, with the funding better used employing extra staff to help the many businesses and homeowners suffering due to the QBCC’s poor culture and even worse decision making.”

The LNP has accused Mr de Brenni of “stacking the QBCC board with his union masters”, tearing up small operators’ fire protection licenses and intervening in QBCC operations to “benefit his mates”.

Mr Hart said: “Perhaps (former public administrator) Jim Varghese, who is heading the government’s so-called inquiry into this toothless building watchdog, might be able to come up with some answers regarding the QBCC’s wasteful cash splash”.

Sub-contractors Alliance chairman Les Williams said: “This is a poor attempt at whitewashing serious problems within the QBCC and a complete waste of public funds. All Queenslanders should be angry.’’

Mr Williams said the Alliance had raised serious issues around alleged collusive activity with other units of public administration to bury complaints made against the QBCC.