Darwin Turf Club boss Brett Dixon should call for re-tender of $12 million grandstand project: Labor MLA

DARWIN Turf Club boss Brett Dixon should call for a re-tender of the club’s controversial $12 million grandstand project, a Gunner Government backbencher says

• DARWIN Turf Club’s $12 million grandstand tender awarded to Jaytex Constructions
• GUNNER to change government grant rules following Darwin Turf Club controversy

A GUNNER Government backbencher has reiginited the fire around the controversial $12 million Darwin Turf Club grandstand project saying that Turf Club boss Brett Dixon should call for a re-tender of the contract.

The NT News revealed earlier this month that a construction tender to build the three-level stand had been awarded to Jaytex Constructions, a company owned by Mr Dixon.

Labor Caucus secretary Kate Worden told listeners on Mix 104.9 on Friday that no-one expected the final tender outcome.

“If I was Brett Dixon right now, I’d re-tender. I am very comfortable to say that on the record,” the Member for Sanderson said.

“I would go to an open and transparent tender if I was them … if I was in their boat because I think this doesn’t look good for the Turf Club.”

Gunner Government backbencher Kate Worden says that Turf Club boss Brett Dixon should call for a re-tender of the controversial $12 million Darwin Turf Club grandstand project

“I believe it probably was an open and transparent tender,” Ms Worden said.

“I think people should recognise what is a conflict of interest and in this case, Rule 101 of being a director, you have to recognise what a conflict of interest looks like.

“I think in this case it hasn’t been recognised. People now realise in retrospect it doesn’t pass the pub test.

“What has to happen now is the Turf Club has to make some hard decisions. If they go to re-tender I think that would be a very good process for them.

“I can’t speak for them. I am not on their board. The fact we have responded and recognised there was an issue in this space, I think people have to recognise we are doing the right thing.

It is really important from director training I have done myself, conflict of interest is so subjective, its so difficult to manage.

The new three-level stand with private corporate boxes will be built where the Ted D’Ambrosio bar is located and will have a walkway connecting it to the Ted Bailey Grandstand. Picture: Supplied

“They need to look at that and make those decisions. I can’t make them for Brett Dixon.

I am not in the Turf Club. I am in a Government that has given them $12 million to do a job creating project. “

The NT Government and the Darwin Turf Club are refusing to say who was on the panel that awarded the grandstand contract to Jaytex.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner refused to answer questions about the issue and directed inquiries to the Turf Club.

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A Probity Report revealed the five-member panel voted 3-1, with one vote tied, to award the contract to Jaytex.

Turf Club board members Damian Moriarty and James Herraman confirmed they were on the panel but would not say if they voted in favour of Jaytex.

Mr Moriarty said the panel made a recommendation to the board which was then accepted.

“How we voted I think is a matter for us because that was a trigger to make a recommendation (to the board), the recommendation was reached ultimately by consensus,” Mr Moriarty said.

“We made a decision to have a majority of independents (selection panel members) and I think they brought a lot to the table and I’m actually very thankful for their contribution.”

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Mr Moriarty denied having two Turf Club board members on the panel had meant the process to award the contract to Mr Dixon had not been independent.

“I think when you look at other procurement panels, wherever they might be, they’re not necessarily that strong but we look at it from a skills and experience perspective,” he said.