Brisbane company worth just $8 when awarded $385m Nauru offshore processing contract

KPMG reported its pre-contract financial strength assessment was conducted on Canstruct International Pty Ltd: but the government, after twice having to correct its evidence to the Senate, has since confirmed the assessment was actually undertaken on another company, Canstruct Pty Ltd.

In 2016, the previous manager of the Nauru offshore processing facility, Broadspectrum (formerly Transfield), was taken over by Spanish company, Ferrovial, which announced it did not want to continue working on the island beyond its contract expiring in October 2017.

Canstruct Pty Ltd had previously been involved in building the detention centre on Nauru and was invited to provide the department of home affairs with a quote to take over the running of the offshore operation.

In August 2017, at the request of the federal department, accounting firm KPMG undertook a financial strength assessment of Canstruct International Pty Ltd.

Shadow home affairs minister Kristina Keneally said the Morrison government and the department of home affairs had questions to answer over its handling of the Canstruct contract.

Canstruct was first hired to help construct the Nauru detention centre under the Gillard Labor government. Under the Turnbull Coalition government it won its initial contract to run offshore operations on the island.

The Canstruct group, or entities associated with it, have made 11 donations to the Liberal National party in Queensland.