THE FORECAST FOR CIVIL 2022-2026 WITH MP & SHADOW MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE & TRANSPORT
TOM KOUTSANTONIS DATE
TIME
VENUE
10 March 2022
4:30pm – 7:30pm
The Gallery, Waymouth Street
The attendees at the second event were equally keen to hear what the future could hold for the civil construction industry.
reforming the procurement process. He also outlined strategies to address the ramping crisis.
Following the usual preliminary formalities of acknowledging the event sponsors, Tom Koutsantonis, the Shadow Minister, commented on the current Liberal government’s performance with regards to the civil industry. And what a Labor government could do better to improve the present situation – by creating and keeping jobs locally via
Unsurprisingly, at question time, most people wanted a clearer picture on how the opposition party could offer a better future for the state.
THE INSIDE SCOOP
Part II of The Forecast for Civil featured Tom Koutsantonis, MP & Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.
With discussions lingering long after the session, it would be fair to say people are now left with so much to ponder on before exercising their electoral rights on 19 March.
“ WE’LL GET REAL BENEFIT FOR YOU! WE’LL MAKE SURE IT GETS TO YOU,” said Koutsantonis.
The tragic Liverpool supporter said it was important, as the opposition, to gain access to decision makers on the $17.9 billion for civil and civil associated work, to “Get what we want from infrastructure.”
1 The biggest spender is the state government, then the local government and lastly, the private sector. We have a procurement of $8.5 billion. Labor would have a suite of reforms to redirect 5% of that in public tenders each year to boost procurement flow to South Australian companies – a big increase in gross state product!
1 Present government does things differently. Even with school uniforms, we are buying them from interstate – WHY? Uniforms should be SA made, where possible, for government agencies. 1 A Labor government will pay contractor invoices within 15 days or face the penalty, and require lead contractors delivering government projects to pay sub-contractor invoices within 15 days.
As Treasurer when Labor was in government, his frustration now is getting to do the projects that will allow state businesses to grow. Projects that are about capability. “We can buy eight submarines tomorrow or build them ourselves...” remarked Koutsantonis.
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According to the Shadow Minister:
1 We must make sure that the major infrastructure projects that we sign off on will ensure they deliver 90% minimum of work provided for. And that technology transfers are in place to benefit South Aussies.
Once known as SA’s naughtiest MP, the former taxi driver-turned-treasurer and then MP, Turbo Tom has been in politics for 24 years and is still going. “Maybe…” he said with a wry smile.
According to him, the government has been spending $10 billion on building 9.9km of roads, with most of the work going to international contractors, while ongoing boardroom arguments are fuelling questions on who is raking in the profits.
A big Thank You again to APEX Vac Solutions (Major Event Sponsor), and MEH Plant & Equipment (Supporting Event Sponsor), for making the occasion a success!
1 A Labor government would have departments undergo training to understand the processes of contracts and tenders.
At the time of writing, the State Election had not taken place.
1 Chief executives can sign off on tender outcomes that don’t go to SA companies. We must make them responsible. And accountable to the government. CIVIL CONNECT
