❓ Ms. Davies questions the Minister for Water regarding unpaid dues to Rural Traffic Services by Miluc Civil for work commissioned by the Water Corporation, seeking clarification on why other subcontractors were paid while Rural Traffic Services was not. The Minister offers to investigate.
AnsweredQoN 1072Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
RURAL TRAFFIC SERVICES — MILUC CIVIL — WATER CORPORATION
1072. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Minister for Water:
I start by wishing the member for
Collie–Preston a very happy birthday on behalf of the Nationals WA.
I
refer to a company in my electorate, Rural Traffic Services, that was engaged
in 2017 as a subcontractor to Miluc Civil for work commissioned by the Water Corporation on the Bruce Rock
septic tank effluent disposal scheme.
(1) Is the
minister aware that three years on, Rural Traffic Services is out of pocket by
over $65 000 as a result of the liquidation of Miluc Civil?
(2) Is the
minister aware that other subcontractors owed money by Miluc Civil for Water
Corporation–related work were paid out by the Water Corporation?
(3) If not, will
the minister investigate why Rural Traffic Services has been unable to secure
payment from the Water Corporation when other subcontractors have been paid by
the Water Corporation?
1072. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Minister for Water:
I start by wishing the member for
Collie–Preston a very happy birthday on behalf of the Nationals WA.
I
refer to a company in my electorate, Rural Traffic Services, that was engaged
in 2017 as a subcontractor to Miluc Civil for work commissioned by the Water Corporation on the Bruce Rock
septic tank effluent disposal scheme.
(1) Is the
minister aware that three years on, Rural Traffic Services is out of pocket by
over $65 000 as a result of the liquidation of Miluc Civil?
(2) Is the
minister aware that other subcontractors owed money by Miluc Civil for Water
Corporation–related work were paid out by the Water Corporation?
(3) If not, will
the minister investigate why Rural Traffic Services has been unable to secure
payment from the Water Corporation when other subcontractors have been paid by
the Water Corporation?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
member for the question.
(1)–(3) It
sounds as though a company had a contract with a subcontractor who then had a contract
with the Water Corporation. In my time as Minister for Water, a number of
members of Parliament and individual contractors have approached my office
around issues of non-payment—not a lot, but MPs have raised this issue
with me and contractors have come directly to my office. My experience has been
that, when appropriate, the Water Corporation has actually been very
accommodating to assist those contractors who for some reason may not have been
paid by the person to whom they have contracted. Obviously, if it is a commercial
dispute, the Water Corporation cannot pay out money that is owed by other
contractors; it would not be appropriate. However, when the Water Corporation
can pay contractors directly for work that has been done, it is willing to do
that. Member, I am not aware that you have contacted my office about this
company.
Ms M.J. Davies : I have, yes.
Mr D.J. KELLY : I am quite
happy to talk to the member about it, but I do not know the details. As I said,
in my experience, the Water Corporation is very accommodating in this area.
Obviously, if there is a commercial dispute between two contractors, it is not
appropriate for the taxpayer to just cough up money. If it is a legitimate
commercial dispute, it needs to be resolved. The Small Business Commissioner
can assist in that regard, but if there is a legitimate issue, I am happy to
follow it up for the member.
member for the question.
(1)–(3) It
sounds as though a company had a contract with a subcontractor who then had a contract
with the Water Corporation. In my time as Minister for Water, a number of
members of Parliament and individual contractors have approached my office
around issues of non-payment—not a lot, but MPs have raised this issue
with me and contractors have come directly to my office. My experience has been
that, when appropriate, the Water Corporation has actually been very
accommodating to assist those contractors who for some reason may not have been
paid by the person to whom they have contracted. Obviously, if it is a commercial
dispute, the Water Corporation cannot pay out money that is owed by other
contractors; it would not be appropriate. However, when the Water Corporation
can pay contractors directly for work that has been done, it is willing to do
that. Member, I am not aware that you have contacted my office about this
company.
Ms M.J. Davies : I have, yes.
Mr D.J. KELLY : I am quite
happy to talk to the member about it, but I do not know the details. As I said,
in my experience, the Water Corporation is very accommodating in this area.
Obviously, if there is a commercial dispute between two contractors, it is not
appropriate for the taxpayer to just cough up money. If it is a legitimate
commercial dispute, it needs to be resolved. The Small Business Commissioner
can assist in that regard, but if there is a legitimate issue, I am happy to
follow it up for the member.
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