Schwarten makes excuses and runs scared!

Public Works Minister Rob Schwarten has shown in his reply to an Estimate’s “Dorothy Dicks” question from a government MP, that he is scared of answering questions about his involvement in the mismanagement and failure of the BSA to protect Burnett homeowners and tradespeople from a builder who owes millions of dollars to hundreds of innocent people, Member for Burnett Rob Messenger said today.

Schwarten, in an answer to a staged government ‘Question on Notice’ to begin the 2009 Estimates process, confirms at the end of a two and a half page personal attack and rant against Mr Messenger that:
“It is therefore not appropriate for me to comment regarding specific details of the company of the BSA’s investigation of the company”.

“The Minister is trying to hide behind the excuse that, because I referred the actions of his BSA managers to the CMC for possible misconduct, therefore he doesn’t have to and won’t answer questions during Estimates regarding the matter,” Mr Messenger said.

“Schwarten just created a record for political cowardice. This Estimates he gets the yellow pansy award as the government minister who is running scared and covering up the most…even before he even sits down and faces one estimates committee-hearing question,” he said.

Mr Messenger confirmed that Mr Schwarten hasn’t been referred to the CMC yet, meaning the Minister is quite free to explain his actions with regards to the failed Burnett builder, John Biles.

“During the Estimates process, the Minister needs to explain to the people of Queensland and the hundreds of innocent homes builders and subcontractors who have had money and property taken from them what he knew and when he knew it,” Mr Messenger said.

“Why did Schwarten and his department allow a builder to continue taking peoples money even though his officers have told public meetings that as early as 2002 and for each year after on average, there were five complaints against the Burnett builder?

“Schwarten needs to tell Estimates Committee “A” how many complaints about John Biles and his associated companies over the years have been made by angry and desperate customers to his department and BSA officers and how many times he allowed the builders license to be renewed.

“Schwarten’s own BSA Manager Ian Jennings has stated to creditors of John Biles that the Public Works department knew at least 15 months ago (Apr 08) that Mr Biles and his associated companies were in serious financial trouble.

“Why was Schwarten dopey enough to accept a report made up by Mr Biles’ own accountant as proof that the company wasn’t in financial difficulties and why did Schwarten then allow a renewal of Biles' license?

“And given the fact that that report was obviously wrong, why hasn’t Schwarten ordered legal action to be taken against Biles’ accountant?,” he asked.

Mr Messenger said the Minister can also explain why his department has continually failed to make payments to subcontractors and homebuyers who, under the BSA insurance scheme’s terms and conditions, were entitled to re-imbursement.

“Why is it only after the matter is raised in parliament, in the press and reported to the CMC that Schwarten and his BSA officers have been forced to act fairly, properly investigate and honour government insurance policies of the hundreds of people who have had money and property taken from them?” Mr Messenger asked.