Comm Games UK contract snubs Australian suppliers

Lighting firms and workers are incensed that the forthcoming Gold Coast Commonwealth Games ceremonies lighting contract was awarded to an un-named UK firm. CX understands that a complying tender from both PRG and Chameleon Touring Systems did not succeed.

Quoted in the Gold Coast Bulletin, lighting designer Jeff Pavey questioned the Queensland Government’s support for local suppliers. The PRG/Chameleon bid was to be supported from the Brisbane branch of Chameleon.

“This was a 2 – 3 million dollar contract. It’s probably three months employment. It would have been at least 20 locals employed”, he said.

GOLDOC deputy CEO Brian Nourse told the newspaper that ceremony production company Jack Morton Worldwide was finalizing the tender process. He said that three tender bids were considered, two from overseas and one from ‘a Melbourne based company’.

The report continued: “Opposition Games spokesman John-Paul Langbroek said the Government’s ‘Buy Queensland’ campaign had once again been exposed as a huge con.”

CX understands other contracts for ceremonies have been awarded to Australian firms such as Electric Canvas and NW Group.