Australian Building and Construction Commission confirms RHH redevelopment investigations

The federal building and construction watchdog has revealed there are two investigations under way into the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment worksite.

The Australian Building and Construction Commission is running two investigations into the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment worksite.

THE federal building and construction watchdog has revealed there are two investigations under way into the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment worksite.

The Australian Building and Construction Commission on Thursday remained tight-lipped as to the nature of the investigations but it is understood the Tasmanian Health Service has not been contacted for information.

The commission had previously confirmed one investigation related to workers’ entitlements, allegations of sham contracting and how people were inducted to work on the $689 million project.

“We confirm that the ABCC has two active investigations relating to the Royal Hobart Hospital,” a spokeswoman said.

“As these investigations are ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment.”

It was revealed in September about 130 people — mostly foreign nationals — were allegedly not paid by subcontractor Accuracy Interiors for up to two months.

Project managing contractor John Holland-Fairbrother terminated its contract with the company and eventually paid the plasterers about $1.5 million in wages and entitlements.

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Master Builders Tasmania, which inducted workers on to the site, has previously confirmed it was involved in the investigation.

John-Holland Fairbrother was contacted for comment.

In November, redevelopment workers downed tools over safety concerns, citing particular worries about insufficient lighting.

That industrial action was led by the Construction, Forestry and Mining Union.

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Union assistant secretary Shaun Reardon disavowed the initial ABCC investigation late last year.

“If only we had a government that prosecuted companies who breached workplace laws by screwing workers instead of targeting the union that continues to expose them,” he said.