South Australia’s biggest infrastructure project is facing further scrutiny, with a second contractor suspended from the Torrens to Darlington (T2D) project and an independent integrity review now underway.
The Torrens to Darlington Alliance has ceased using services provided by commercial cleaning company LYLA Pty Ltd after identifying a common shareholding with labour hire firm Career Boss Australia, which is currently engaged in a civil dispute.
Career Boss Australia was indefinitely suspended from the project on October 18, and the Alliance has now formally terminated its contract.
The latest decision follows a review of subcontracting arrangements undertaken after the initial suspension.
Importantly, the Government has stressed there is no suggestion of wrongdoing by LYLA, its shareholders, directors or owners, with the suspension made purely as a precaution because of the shared ownership connection.
South Australia Police has also publicly confirmed it has no evidence of organised crime operating on any public infrastructure project, including Torrens to Darlington.
Despite this, the State Government says it is taking additional steps to protect the integrity of the project, which will eventually deliver a non-stop South Road through Adelaide.
As part of those measures, Premier Peter Malinauskas requested that the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) consider independently evaluating the safeguards surrounding procurement, contracting and subcontracting on the T2D project.
ICAC Commissioner Emma Townsend has agreed to conduct the evaluation, which is now underway.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the Government would not hesitate to act when concerns were raised.
“The message is clear, we have a zero tolerance approach to wrongdoing on any of our infrastructure projects, and will act even at its suggestion.”
“That’s why the T2D Alliance has taken this strong action to first suspend and now terminate Career Boss Australia’s contract, as well as suspend the contract of LYLA because of a common shareholding.”
The Government says it strengthened contractor requirements before construction began on South Australia’s largest infrastructure project and has continued to introduce additional safeguards.
These include the Unacceptable Behaviours Guideline, released earlier this year, which provides clearer and more consistent reporting processes for workers.
Stronger controls also apply to labour hire and traffic management businesses, where workforce turnover is typically higher.
The T2D Alliance is also required to maintain contractual obligations and protections covering the conduct and responsibilities of companies working on the project.
Minister Joe Szakacs reinforced the Government’s position on workplace conduct and project delivery.
“We have strong requirements and protections in place to keep violence, intimidation and criminal behaviour away from our infrastructure projects.”
“Our state’s largest infrastructure project is on time and on budget, and we won’t let any suggestion of unacceptable behaviour get in the way of us delivering a non-stop South Road.”
The Government maintains that the project remains on schedule and within budget, with the independent ICAC evaluation now examining the integrity safeguards governing its contracting arrangements.
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