Probe Into $52m Cleaning Tenders

The Age

Wednesday June 20, 2007

Michael Bachelard

VICTORIA'S Ombudsman has launched a probe into government cleaning contracts worth $52 million, after revelations that a state minister tried to influence the awarding of the work.

The Age reported last month Major Projects Minister Theo Theophanous repeatedly lobbied then housing minister Candy Broad on behalf of a cleaning company, GJK Facility Services, over the cleaning of public housing towers in Melbourne.

GJK won three of four contracts, prompting at least one other bidder to complain to state Ombudsman George Brouwer. GJK is run by George Stamas, a friend of Mr Theophanous and major sponsor of the minister's fund-raising dinner last year.

A spokesman for the Ombudsman confirmed yesterday that an inquiry had been launched into the contracts.

Mr Theophanous has previously denied any wrongdoing, writing last month that the Office of Housing had "clearly indicated that the process was independent, transparent, overseen by an independent auditor and free of any interference from any minister". -- MICHAEL BACHELARD

© 2007 The Age

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