Operation Mantis is examining allegations Webb and Cossu “partially or dishonestly exercised their official functions” by using or attempting to use a company,PMLV Invest and Const Pty Ltd,for recruitment subcontractor services without disclosing that the pair had a financial interest in the company. The public inquiry,which started on Monday,is focusing on conduct between 2020 and 2022. Neither Webb nor Cossu remain employed by,or contracted to,the council.
The commission is also scrutinising whether the pair partially or dishonestly exercised their official functions to favour a second company,General Works and Construction Pty Ltd,by attempting to influence the awarding of council contracts,or by using the first company to subcontract General Works and Construction council contracts to benefit themselves or others.
In her opening address,counsel assisting the commission Georgia Huxley said Webb managed the council’s works and project unit from February 2020 to December 2022. Cossu was contracted by Randstad to work as a construction team leader at the council,where he reported to Webb,in May 2020. Cossu’s contract was terminated in December 2022.
Loading
Huxley said Cossu was listed as PMLV’s director and sole shareholder from October 2013 until mid-2023,when Webb’s father,Ivan,took over as director and shareholder.
“In total,PMLV was paid $690,729.50 by Randstad for the work Mr Cossu was contracted to do at council during the period of his contract,” she said.
The inquiry heard there was evidence Cossu had used PMLV to supply 26 contingent workers to recruitment agencies Randstad and Spinifex Recruiting,who in turn contracted those workers to the council,from 2021 to late 2022.