| The Victorian Government’s failure to act has left the state’s security sector vulnerable, after new media revelations, including the infiltration of bikie gang members, exposed serious integrity and safety concerns.
United Workers Union (UWU) is today calling on the Victorian Government to immediately remove MA Services Group from all Victorian security procurement panels, amid serious integrity concerns raised through recent public reporting.
UWU has repeatedly warned the Victorian Government about risks in security procurement, including specific concerns relating to MA Services, and advised that the company should not remain approved to deliver public security contracts.
Recent public reporting has highlighted serious concerns about MA Services’ governance, labour practices and links to bikie-associated figures operating in the security sector. These revelations reinforce long-standing warnings from workers and industry insiders that weak procurement standards allow dodgy operators to win government work over reputable companies.
United Workers Union Vice President Gary Bullock said public safety and workers’ jobs are put at risk when governments fail to apply strong standards to companies delivering security services.
“People who procure services on behalf of the public have an obligation to ensure taxpayer money is not going to dodgy operators,” Mr Bullock said.
“When proper standards aren’t enforced, good companies are pushed aside and the worst actors are rewarded. That’s what has happened in Victoria.”
Mr Bullock said employment breaches are often the starting point for deeper corruption across the security industry.
“When governments require decent wages, direct employment and real compliance, the work goes to better companies and bikies are shut out,” he said.
“Weak standards do the opposite. They reward dodgy operators who undercut reputable businesses and open the door to criminal influence.”
The issues now exposed require the removal of MA Services from the Victorian security procurement panel, alongside the consistent application and enforcement of the Safeguard Standard across the sector. The revelations also raise serious questions about whether existing panel settings are doing enough to protect public safety, workers and taxpayers.
“If the Victorian Government is serious about public safety, then they’ll act now and remove MA Services from all Victorian security procurement panels and review other operators on the list,” Mr Bullock said.
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