Morson International banned from Victoria’s Big Build changes name to RailCo International

Morson International has changed its name after it was suspended from the state’s Big Build following explosive allegations workers were doing “ghost shifts”.

Morson International was suspended from Big Build projects. Picture: David Crosling

A company banned from working on Victorian rail lines while allegations of multimillion dollar rorts on major projects are probed has changed its business name.

Morson International was suspended from the state’s Big Build in May following explosive allegations workers were doing “ghost shifts” – where builders were charged for shifts not filled – on Metro Tunnel, rail infrastructure, and level crossing removal projects.

The Herald Sun can reveal that investigators probing the allegations have recently conducted surprise day and night inspections on the $14bn Metro project and other rail sites, to check that qualified rail safety workers were on the job.

It is understood investigators have been told that some workers had signatures forged for shifts they did not attend, and that teenagers without adequate training had been used to fill important safety roles.

Documents lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission this month by Morson International director Sandeep Nair shows the company decided to rename itself RailCo International.

Rail safety workers said they feared the change would allow people involved in alleged ghost shift rostering and ripoffs to phoenix back into in the industry, and that nothing would change.

But the Herald Sun has confirmed the company name won’t affect the ban instituted by the state’s Major Transport Infrastructure Authority and rail operator Metro Trains, which will continue to enforce the suspension based on the company’s Australian Business Number, until investigations are finalised.

Metro Trains has ‘taken steps’ to suspend Morson from providing any services.

Mr Nair did not respond to the Herald Sun about the name change, or about how this will affect a sponsorship deal the company had with rugby team the Melbourne Rebels.

Last year the Rebels announced that Morson signed on as the club’s official partners for three years.

Morson had its name and logo displayed on the sleeve of the men’s jerseys, and Mr Nair said at the time that the Rebels’ “discipline, determination, and commitment to develop and maintain an elite team truly resonated”.

Multiple attempts have been made to contact the Rebels about the arrangement.

Several rail industry insiders have approached the Herald Sun since it revealed the ghost shift rorts allegations in May, to allege the practice had occurred for years.

Some workers said they were moved around between construction sites, including level crossing removal projects in Melbourne’s southeast, and also made allegations about underpayments and serious safety breaches.

The Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator, which is investigating possible breaches of rail safety laws, confirmed it had begun “unannounced day and night site inspections”.

A spokesman said “ONRSR cannot make comment on any findings until the investigation is complete” but that its powers to “prosecute both individuals and corporations and its ability to exercise these powers is not impacted by a person or a company changing its name”.