More companies investigate alleged ‘ghost shift’ Big Build projects scam
Major builders, operators and the national rail safety regulator are now investigating alleged scams on the Andrews government’s Big Build projects.
Victoria
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Multinational companies working on the Andrews government’s Big Build have launched probes into allegations of “ghost shifts” and other scams on taxpayer-funded projects.
The bombshell accusations, revealed by the Herald Sun, will also be referred to Victoria Police by the Opposition.
On Friday, allegations of multimillion-dollar rorts on the state’s major projects were revealed.
Insiders accused some businesses of billing large companies for multiple shifts supposedly done by a single worker within 24 hours.
These have been labelled “ghost shifts” because they weren’t properly completed.
Responding to the Herald Sun’s story, the Major Transport Infrastructure Authority confirmed major builders and operators had launched investigations into the issue.
The national rail safety regulator is also probing the claims.
“We have zero tolerance for fraudulent or criminal behaviour on our worksites,” an MTIA spokeswoman said.
“We take claims of this nature seriously and any criminal wrongdoing will be referred to police or relevant anti-corruption agencies.”
“All of our contractors have audit, monitoring and control systems in place to detect and deal with fraud. If subcontractors or individuals do the wrong thing, we are confident they will be caught and will face the consequences.”
Opposition transport infrastructure spokesman David Southwick said he would also be raising the matter with law enforcement.
“The Opposition will be writing to Victoria Police and be asking them to investigate the fraud allegations,” he said.
“These are very serious allegations. Certainly we will be asking anyone that’s been affected by this to also come forward and to tell us what’s going on these sites.”
Premier Daniel Andrews said the state expected all contractors to do the right thing.
“If they’re not, then they will be dealt with and the consequences will be very, very significant for them in terms of all manner of penalties,” he said.
“They’re not companies, I don’t think, that we would want involved in any of our building activities in the future.”
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