East Devonport, Tasmania, April 17, 2006--A coastal carpet company has missed out on a $500,000 contract to carpet Parliament House in Canberra after the Federal Government decided to use a foreign-owned company instead, according to the Advocate.
East Devonport carpet makers Tascot Templeton Carpets still recovering from near-closure late last year made a bid for the lucrative contract but the job was given to a British company.
According to Braddon Labor MHA Brenton Best, the difference between the two bids was a matter of only "a few dollars."
"It's a snub and an insult to Australian industry," Mr Best said.
The company that won the contract has a factory in Geelong, but will import the yarn needed to make the carpet.
Mr Best said he expected the Federal Government would choose Australian products when it was fitting out the nation's capital.
The Federal Government snub comes just months after a $1.8 million State Government assistance package helped save Tascot Templeton carpets from going under.
The package helped management buy the company from its previous owner, international carpet giant Ulster Carpets, in December last year, ensuring the company's 175 worker remained employed.
Braddon Liberal MHR Mark Baker said he would look into the issue to check what had happened with the contract.
"I would be extremely concerned if a Tasmanian-owned company has lost out to a foreign-owned company in a contract to supply carpet to our nation's parliament," he said.
"I will be seeking an explanation from the responsible minister and, if possible, for this contract to be reversed."
