Masterbuilders NT Sallyann Innes reassures the public the charges against three construction figures isn't a reflection on the whole industry

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Returning to that major story of the week, we know
that questions have been raised about what it means for
the construction industry as a whole after three people were
charged for allegedly defrauding the commonwealth. Now it's also been
speculated what it means for contractors impacted and indeed workers.
Now to answer some of those questions as much as

(00:20):
she came without speaking on what is before the court
at the moment, is Saliane in us from Master Builders
here in the Northern Territory. The CEO, good morning to you, Sally.

Speaker 2 (00:30):
Anne morning Katie. Thanks for having me.

Speaker 1 (00:32):
Yeah, thank you so much for your time. Now, Saliane.
The Board of Master Builders acted fairly swiftly in its
response to this situation, specifically specifically referencing Master Builders NT
was founded on principles of fairness, ethical conduct, and integrity,
particularly in relation to contracting and procurement.

Speaker 2 (00:54):
Why was that important, Well, it sums up our industry, Katie,
represent and Master Builders represents businesses, life members and a
wider construction industry who have quite literally built and continue
to build the territory. So we felt that it was
important and the Board and President absolutely felt it was
important that the alleged actions of one person do not

(01:16):
define our industry.

Speaker 1 (01:19):
Are there concerns for the reputation of the industry as
a whole? Following on from the breaking of this story.

Speaker 2 (01:27):
Katie, again, the action or the alleged actions of one
person should not define our industry. These builders are wider
construction industry members have built, whether it's defense, whether it's
houses in the Northern Territory, they have built this reputably.
So I really want to make it absolutely certain that

(01:47):
the alleged actions of one individual does not define it.

Speaker 1 (01:51):
Yeah, that's certainly not yet. I know that you certainly
you know you can't speak on behalf of the business
or anything like that, But there are a lot of
people out in the community at the moment who are
quite concerned about what this may mean for the industry.
First off, I guess as a whole, you know, what
impact do you think that it has the potential to have?

Speaker 2 (02:13):
Well, Katie, I think we should now weave it up
to the authorities. But there are questions there for the government,
you know, and the government and the departments really do
need to have a look at how this alleged behavior
was allowed to happen, Like I'm sure and I hope
on behalf of the industry that they're looking around tendering
and the processes in the community are procurement and that's

(02:35):
all under review. Like where the checks and balances there,
the right people, the right line authorities. All of those
questions need to be answered by the government. That's not
an industry question, it's a government question.

Speaker 1 (02:47):
So you know, I mean with that when you say government,
because we're talking defense contracts here, so I'm presuming that
they're managed through the Australian government or the federal.

Speaker 2 (02:56):
Government, right correct denness, Yes.

Speaker 1 (03:00):
So those questions really being asked of them, I mean,
is that something that Master Builders has written to the
federal government about or what are your plans on this?
Because as you're pointed to, right from the get go,
you know, it's important that we get this right, and
it's really important that you know, not you know, not
sort of anticipating any outcomes of a court case or
anything like that, but making sure that you know nothing
like this can happen again and it doesn't tarnish the

(03:22):
industry one percent.

Speaker 2 (03:24):
Katie. Most importantly that the investigations that are ongoing by
the correct authorities are allowed to take the course that
they need to and to the resolution that needs to come.
It is something that Master Builders we're working. I've been
speaking to our members, I've been speaking to the wider
community over the last couple of days. I've been in

(03:44):
touch with local members of parliament about this. We will
continue to advocate to make sure one that these processes
that through the governments, are the tendering, the procurement, those
kind of things are looked into and we will work
to make sure that this never happens again. And this
is not something that's reflected on our industry anywhere.

Speaker 1 (04:07):
Sallyan, have you had you know, contractors staff getting contact
with Master Builders over the last sort of twenty four
to forty eight hours and what are they saying.

Speaker 2 (04:17):
Look, I have Katie, and I'm not going to go
into personal situations or individual situations, but as an industry group,
we will advocate and make sure that we help everybody.
It's a big thing going on obviously as media is reporting,
but we will make sure that our members are listened
to and this behavior is never allowed to happen again.

Speaker 1 (04:40):
And in terms of you know, like presumably you know,
work is still continuing on staff is still able to operate.
I do have a statement from em and Jay Builders
that they did send out to contractors and also I
believe staff earlier in the week, so I'll read that
out in a little while, But presumably things are still
operating as they were.

Speaker 2 (05:00):
Look again, I won't go into individual situations, but by
all accounts it is business as usual. But we are
certainly speaking to people on behalf of our members.

Speaker 1 (05:12):
Sallyanne, before I let you go, I mean, what is
your message to the industry, to everybody out there this morning,
but particularly I know Master Builders have a lot of
members and people will be feeling quite concerned at the moment.
What is your message for them today?

Speaker 2 (05:27):
Absolutely, Katie, this is not a reflection of our members,
our wider industry, our members young, old starting in the industry,
wanting to get into the industry. We have an amazing
opportunity here in the territory. This is a great industry.
We have some amazing contractors and builders and I encourage

(05:49):
everybody to look at this as a learning opportunity, but
more so those once those questions have been answered by
the government, we move forward.

Speaker 1 (05:58):
Salianne, just very quickly, you know, I guess we all
know that defense contracts can be quite difficult to win,
or that's the word that I hear around the place
quite often. Do you worry in any way that this
is going to make it even tougher for territory businesses
to win some of those defense contracts.

Speaker 2 (06:17):
Look, Katie on, you know, master Builders will hold the
government to account around the processes that were in place
that allow this behavior to happen. So hopefully in the
full course of time and once the investigations of you
know happened and we've got some answers, all those processes

(06:38):
will will hopefully be in place.

Speaker 1 (06:41):
Well, Sally Anne in a CEO of master Builders here
in the Northern Territory. I appreciate your time. Thank you
very much for having a chat this morning.

Speaker 2 (06:49):
Thanks Katie, thank you,