2 THE NATION THE WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN, APRIL 2-3, 2011

www.theaustralian.com.au

NBN tender sparks builders fury

EXCLUSIVE APPEARANCE
AUSTRALIAN AGENDA

SPECIAL
GUESTS ANNABEL HEPWORTH
TRACY LEE
UNIONS warned their wages
could be squeezed and shocked
Infrastructure Minister WA Premier construction companies said they
wasted tens of millions of dollars
Anthony Albanese Colin Barnett after the NBN Co abandoned a
WITH The Australian’s crucial network building tender
claiming the bids were too high.
Australian Constructors As-
sociation head Jim Barrett said the
NBN Co should have ‘‘sorted out
its procurement strategy before
engaging the industry’’.
Infrastructure Partnerships
Australia boss Brendan Lyon said
Peter van Onselen Paul Kelly Annabel Hepworth
INSIDE contracts’’. But the NBN Co’s head
of corporate services, Kevin
Labor has Brown, stared down these de-
introduced mands, insisting the government-
an industrial owned business would not be pay-
system that ing compensation. ‘‘We were ex-
doesn’t fit plicit about this at the commence-
with the ment of this (request for
proposals) process. Whilst we are
resources-
government-funded, we are not
boom challenge facing government,’’ he said.
contemporary Australia. He added that the NBN Co had
received legal advice that it was
PAUL KELLY P11 not required to pay compensation.
Late yesterday, NBN Co was
‘‘the private sector should be reim- thought to have met with one of
bursed for reasonable costs Leighton Holdings subsidiaries to
they’ve incurred bidding these discuss implementing a so-called
plan B that could be cheaper than
those provided from the competi-
tive tender process.
Leighton had three subsidiaries
in the shortlist of 14 companies
and it is understood that Silcar (a
joint venture with Siemens) could
perform the bulk of the work.
But the federal opposition
warned that appointing a single
contractor for the construction
might fall foul of the rules for pub-
lic sector tendering and said po-
tential contractors should be in-
vited to bid for the role.
Building firms the NBN Co
shortlisted as its 14 finalists ex-
pressed outrage about the deci-
sion to indefinitely suspend the
tender process, when contacted by
The Weekend Australian.
The half-page letter from NBN
Co was delivered late yesterday
and was roundly condemned.
‘‘Who do they think is going to
do the construction for them?’’
said a senior executive from one of
the shortlisted companies. ‘‘Who-
ever is reviewing these bids clearly
does not understand the contract-
ing market in Australia.’’
Senior executives made clear
that it was the terms stipulated by
NBN Co against which the com-
panies had tendered that resulted
in the prices being quoted.
‘‘There’s a range of things that
they wanted us to take into con-
sideration and one of them was on
the liabilities side, who bears the
risk, what happens when there’s a
delay,’’ said one executive in-
volved in the negotiations. ‘‘Never
mind the rising labour (cost) ques-
tion — we’ve tendered on a speci-
fic schedule of rates. That kind of
pricing-in of risk is normal and,
yes, can mean the price might be
higher than they thought.’’
The Communications Electri-
cal and Plumbing Union’s Allen
Hicks said the move would cause
the builders to re-examine their
pay rates.

Tomorrow at 8.30am AEST

Asylum centre ‘four months away’ Gluyas wins a Quill,
IN THE PAPER TODAY Oakes takes the Perkin
world p17-23 As Muammar Gaddafi’s regime crumbles, the
US said Libya’s rebels needed weapons — but that other THE Australian’s Richard Gluyas
countries should provide them p17 last night won a coveted Quill
award for his series of articles
examining the private business
focus 11-13 commentary 14, 23 editorials 15 weather 24 interests of competition tsar
business 25-40 movie session times 39 sport 41-48 Graeme Samuel.
The Nine Network’s veteran
political journalist Laurie Oakes
took out the major prize at the
first edition no 14,462
Quill Awards in Melbourne last
night, adding the Graham Perkin
award for Australian journalist of Richard Gluyas
Editor-in-Chief Chris Mitchell the year to the Gold Walkley he
claimed last year. ism’s top prize, the $5000 Gold
Editor, The Australian Paul Whittaker Oakes’s $20,000 prize was Quill Award, for a personal ac-
Editor, The Weekend Australian Nick Cater awarded to him for his scoops count of her year fighting breast
during the federal election last cancer following the sudden
Deputy Editor Clive Mathieson
Managing Editor Louise Evans
year; his interviews with politi- death of her husband.
Senior Deputy Editor (Production) Graham Erbacher cians; his columns in the Herald In his series of articles examin-
Deputy Editor (Business) Geoff Elliott Sun and The Daily Telegraph; and ing Mr Samuel’s involvement in
Deputy Editor (Features) Deborah Jones his book, On the Record, all com- the teetering DFO retail chain,
Editor, The Weekend Australian Magazine Steve Waterson pleted over the course of a year. Gluyas exposed the conflict be-
Editor-at-Large Paul Kelly
He is only the fourth journalist tween his private financial inter-
ISSN 1038-8761 to win the double (the others are ests and his role as Australian
To subscribe to The Australian 1800 022 552 Pamela Williams of the Austra- Competition and Consumer
To advertise in The Australian 1300 307 287 bookings@theaustralian.com.au lian Financial Review; Andrew Commission chairman.
Rule, then of The Age; and Gary Issues first raised by Gluyas are
Contacts Sydney 9288 3000 Canberra 6270 7000 Hughes of The Australian). now central to a Supreme Court
Melbourne 9292 2888 Brisbane 3666 7444
Adelaide 8206 2686 Perth 9326 8412 Hobart 6224 2196 Other journalists short-listed feud between Samuel and his
News, tips and comment: feedback@theaustralian.com.au for the award were Herald Sun business partners.
deputy editor Jill Baker; Anthony In awarding the Quill for best
Printed and published by the proprietor Nationwide News Pty Limited A.C.N. 008438828 of 2 Holt
St, Surry Hills, 2010, and printed at 26-52 Hume Highway, Chullora, 2190; printed in Victoria by
Klan of The Australian (for more business story in any medium, the
Herald & Weekly Times Limited of 127-129 Todd Rd, Port Melbourne, Victoria, for the publisher; than 80 articles exposing flaws in judges said of Gluyas’s work: ‘‘His
printed in Tasmania by Davies Brothers Pty Limited, 31 Innovation Dr, Techno Park, 7010, for the Canberra’s Building the Edu- articles had an impact and are li-
publisher; printed in South Australia by Advertiser Newspapers Limited, 200 Railway Terrace, Mile
cation Revolution scheme) and kely to be an influence on future
the ABC’s Kerry O’Brien. appointments.’’
Baker won Victorian journal- CAROLINE OVERINGTON
TERRY TREWIN

Ferguson joins the team
JOHN Ferguson, one of the
nation’s most experienced jour-
nalists, has joined The Australian
as Victorian political editor.
Ferguson, who first covered
Victorian politics in 1989, has re-
ported on the past six premiers
and is a former Canberra press
gallery journalist, London-based
European correspondent for
News Limited and Herald Sun st-
ate political editor.
He has covered many of the re-
gion’s biggest stories for News
Limited and was a finalist in 2009
in the Sir Keith Murdoch Award
for Excellence in Journalism for
his coverage of the Victorian bu-
shfire disaster. He was also highly
commended by the Melbourne
The site of the new detention centre to be built at Wickham Point, near Darwin, as it looks now
TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK
‘‘Having seen the site and been nounced in an effort to ease over- The commonwealth has made
LANAI VASEK Daylight saving – Australian Eastern Daylight Time – ends on Sunday
Press Club for taken there by (immigration) of- crowding on Christmas Island, a contribution of $9.2m to the morning. People in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT and South Australia
his bushfire ficials I can only say if 500 people was nothing more than ‘‘open capital works at the site. should turn their clocks back one hour
reporting, his WICKHAM Point detention are going to be there by mid-year, scrub and a few dozer marks’’. The accommodation planned
Beaconsfield centre is still a muddy scrubland they will be in quite primitive ‘‘Nauru is significantly ad- for the centre is understood to
mine disaster with the planning approvals yet accommodation.’’ vanced on this site . . . it could be consist mostly of demountable-
coverage and to be finalised, despite plans to The nation’s detention net- up and running in six to eight style buildings, in line with many
an investiga- transfer 500 detainees there work is under pressure, with the weeks,’’ he said. other detention centres on the
tion into the within four months. Scherger facility in northern ‘‘I went to Wickham Point with mainland. QLD
Liberal Party’s The centre, 35km south of Queensland more than 200 de- the impression there was some Immigration Minister Chris 2.30am NT (no daylight
Ferguson use of a private Darwin, was announced last tainees over capacity. As of last existing facility there, but it’s flat, Bowen yesterday rejected Mr saving time)
time state
investigator to month and is to house 1500 single night there were 6510 detainees it’s steamy, there are no internal Morrison’s comments, and said
track former prime minister Paul male asylum-seekers. in immigration centres — 1934 on access roads, and clearly it is the planned facility was on track Turn clock back WA
one hour (no daylight
Keating. It will be the largest centre on Christmas Island and 4576 in going to require a fairly sig- to be ready around the middle of
saving time)
Ferguson was the first news- the mainland. mainland facilities. nificant amount of work to get up the year.
paper reporter to file from Marys- Opposition immigration The Curtin, Leonora, Christ- and running.’’ ‘‘Work will begin subject to
ville after the Black Saturday fires spokesman Scott Morrison visi- mas Island and Scherger facilities The centre is being built by final planning approvals,’’ a 3am NSW/ACT*
razed the tourist town and re- ted the site yesterday and said it were all over their original maxi- Wickham Point Development spokeswoman for Mr Bowen said. APRIL 2.30am SA
cently covered the Christchurch
earthquake disaster and Queens-
land floods for News Limited.
was an ‘‘absolute wasteland’’.
‘‘There is an enormous amount
of work to be done,’’ he said.
mum limits.
Mr Morrison said the Wick-
ham Point facility, which was an-
Pty Ltd and leased by the federal
government for $74 million over
three years.
‘‘Wickham Point is on track for
the first 500 beds to be available
by mid-year.’’ 3 3am TAS
*Excludes Broken Hill, which follows SA time
3am VIC

Gillard called on watchdog bias Clocks go back tonight

COALITION industrial relations spokesman stand that the Fair Work legislation is Ms Gil-
Eric Abetz has called on the Gillard government lard’s personal legislative baby, and Labor will be MORE than 15 million Austra- 2am. Under a 2008 agreement,
to make changes to its workplace regime, in- reluctant to make any changes, I strongly call on lians will wind their clocks back- the jurisdictions will all adjust

Chief Executive Officer cluding immediately banning political or indus-

trial affiliations for senior officials at Fair Work
Australia and the Australian Building and Con-
struction Commission.
the government to let the sunshine in.’’
He said Fair Work Australia, the workplace
umpire dealing with disputes and dismissals,
had recently told a Senate estimates committee
wards from tomorrow morning,
as daylight saving time ends in
five states and territories.
At 3am (AEDT) tomorrow,
their clocks at once.
The change will create three
time zones and bring 18.2 million
people in the eastern states on to
In a speech to the HR Nichols Society in Mel- there was no requirement for members of the residents of NSW, Victoria, South the same time. Queensland, the
bourne today, Mr Abetz will outline a raft of tribunal to resign from political parties or indus- Australia, Tasmania and the ACT Northern Territory and Western
The National Health Call Centre Network (NHCCN), which is a company problems with the industrial regime and call for trial organisations. will gain an extra hour at the Australia do not observe daylight
jointly owned by governments of Australia, operates an integrated national Labor to make adjustments. ‘‘While I under- PATRICIA KARVELAS weekend, turning their clocks to saving time.
• Head this
electronic health information service. Its primary objective is to improve the
high profile efficiency and effectiveness of the Australian health care system by enabling timely
national health access to high quality health advice, triage, referral and health information for all
Australians. The NHCCN has successfully built its core telephony service and is now
information seeking a new CEO to transform its operations and capabilities and to drive the
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER – CALVARY
service organisation forward. MATER NEWCASTLE HOSPITAL
As Chief Executive Officer, you will be accountable to the Board of Directors
Little Company of Mary Health Care is a national Catholic health, community and
for the leadership, governance and overall management of the NHCCN. This will aged care provider with services in six States and Territories.
• Strategic and include the provision of high quality, expert and timely advice in relation to the
Company’s strategic, contractual and regulatory obligations. You will be expected to Expressions of Interest - LCM Health Cares’ Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital (CMN), a 187 bed facility, is the major tertiary centre for
operational establish and maintain productive relationships with governments, health service Cancer and Palliative Care Services in the Hunter New England region of NSW, and also provides an extensive
National Arboretum Canberra range of acute inpatient, outpatient and emergency services.
leadership role providers, other key stakeholders and the wider community and to ensure that
the Company’s services are delivered to consistently high and safe standards. You
Board of Governors
LCM Health Care seeks to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer who can lead CMN through the next stage of
The ACT Government is seeking nominations from
will also be required to keep abreast of emerging issues and trends that are likely its development including the opportunities presented by the health reforms at the State and Federal levels.
interested parties to fill three vacancies on the Board
to affect the NHCCN’s activities and to ensure that the organisation is strategically of Governors of the National Arboretum Canberra, To be the successful applicant for this position you will need:
• Attractive positioned for sustainable growth. as follows:
• a member with legal skills and experience; • Leadership skills that inspire and motivate others within the organisation
remuneration To be a strong contender, you will need to be an outstanding leader and manager • A demonstrated track record in senior management of a complex health organisation
• a member with financial management/accounting
package with a proven record of achievement as a CEO or senior executive in a not-for- skills and experience; and • Exposure to developing and managing public and private sector partnerships
profit, government or commercial environment. Ideally, you will be experienced • a member who has strong ties to the local Canberra
• Commercial acumen, with a demonstrated track record in business development and financial management
in reporting to a Board and will be an accomplished change manager with a good community and can represent the community’s • A strong commitment to the philosophy and mission of the LCM Health Care
understanding of commercial risk issues and an appreciation of the service delivery broader interests. • Formal health or business related tertiary qualifications.
• Sydney based requirements of the health sector. You will also be an innovative and strategic Further information about the National Arboretum If you believe you are an exceptional manager and can meet these criteria then we would like to talk to you
thinker with excellent interpersonal, negotiation and stakeholder management Canberra, including details of how to submit an about this exciting new management opportunity.
with a national expression of interest and the selection criteria, can be
capabilities and the drive and energy necessary to deliver outstanding and timely
found at http://www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au. Before applying please obtain selection documentation by emailing rmiller@hardygroupintl.com
focus results in a complex and demanding business environment. Relevant tertiary REF H11-1789. For further information please contact the Principal Search Consultant John Mollett on
qualifications will be expected. Enquiries should be directed to Ms Pamela Avell on +61406 661 323 or jmollett@hardygroupintl.com. Closing date 2 May 2011
(02) 6205 0072 or pamela.avell@act.gov.au or
Before applying, please obtain selection documentation by emailing ian.hansen@emailme.com.au Mr Alan Franklin on (02) 6207 9044 or
BlazeS048066

Further information can be obtained by contacting Ian Hansen on 0408 306 769. alan.franklin@act.gov.au of the Department of
Land and Property Services. In the tradition of the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary
with values of hospitality, healing, stewardship and respect
Applications close on 26 April 2011. Expressions of interest must be received by close of
business Friday, 15 April 2011.
AG43095 HardyGroup
Ian Hansen & Associates
Executive Search Executive Search
www.hardygroupsearch.com Recruiting Health Leaders for Success