A $2400 work order to fix a broken tap at a local school reflects how a State Government system is open for dishonest behaviour.

Independent Member for MacKillop Nick McBride also described how difficult it was for local contractors to be approved as capable of doing even minor government work at schools.

As a result, Mr McBride said he supported a motion by Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell regarding such government works.

The motion aimed to make it easier and cheaper for schools and businesses to carry out work effectively and efficiently.

Essentially, it aimed to make it easier for country schools to engage local contractors.

“I fully support the Member for Mount Gambier in his motion regarding the Across Government Facilities Management Arrangement and the use of Ventia contractors in regional areas,” Mr McBride said.

“My office has also received information from one school who must use Ventia contractors for maintenance.

“I am told that Ventia will give the contractor a work order limit for a job to be completed.

“One school has seen a work order of $2400 to fix a broken tap.

“I am not suggesting a contractor will charge that – however it may leave the system open for dishonest behaviour.

“And it’s not just schools who are facing difficulties. I have written to the minister on two occasions to raise the frustrations of registering to be a Ventia contractor in regional areas.

“One plumbing business says the paperwork to register is onerous – and once on the system, individual work orders often lack detail.

“This results in businesses choosing not to become contractors. Fewer local companies wanting to do the work means that contractors need to come from further away.”

He said that pushed up the cost of travel which was skyrocketing as some contractors were travelling hundreds of kilometres just to complete a simple preventative maintenance job.

And that resulted in higher costs to the Government.

“It is my view that the duty of the Government is to actively manage contracts so that costs can be kept down,” Mr McBride said.

“In the end – this money would be better spent on educating our children.

“I am pleased the Member for Mount Gambier has raised this issue with the Government.

“I am pleased the Government has agreed to review the AGFMA contract. I too, would like to see changes made that make it easier for schools – and businesses to carry out work effectively and efficiently.”

This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.