Multiplex Group downplays 'sniper' threat

A Multiplex Group boss has reassured New Zealand workers that they are safe, following a sniper threat against the firm's tower crane operators in Australia.

An extortionist has threatened to kill operators employed by Multiplex unless the company agrees to pay A$50 million ($54 million).

Dan Ashby, the Auckland-based boss of Multiplex Constructions (NZ), said inquiries about the threat were being referred to Adam Roach, a consultant at Multiplex in Sydney.

Mr Roach said that the New Zealand business was unaffected by the threats but that in Australia various meetings had been arranged for yesterday.

"At the moment, the company is briefing employees and the unions are consulting with their workers and updating people," he said.

Major projects in Victoria and Western Australia ground to a halt yesterday as crane operators met to discuss the threat, although colleagues in New South Wales returned to work after meetings at 12 sites.

Security has been tightened at construction sites around the country, although the company said yesterday the demand had been received last month.

Although a spokesman would not comment on the details of the threat to Australia's largest construction company, it appeared it had been made from Sydney and concentrated on Multiplex's operations within Australia.

New South Wales police spokesman said detectives were investigating a plot to extort money from the firm.

Police refused to comment on newspaper reports linking the demand to the Russian mafia, and union officials said it was likely to have been made by a disgruntled contractor.

New Zealanders at Multiplex had been informed of the threat, Mr Roach said, but no more steps were being taken here and any specific inquiries should be directed to Australian police, he said.

He downplayed the threat of an extortion bid on Auckland sites, saying the problems were centred on Australia and Britain.

Australia's Channel Nine reported the bid, including a threat that snipers would shoot Multiplex crane operators on building sites around the world if the company did not hand over millions of dollars within 24 hours.

Multiplex has tower cranes on two Auckland sites:

* Residences @ Harbour City, a 38-level block being built on Fort St near the Gore St intersection, in front of the Vero Centre;

* Zest, being built at 72-78 Nelson St. The high-rise block is being developed by Conrad Properties from Sydney.

Multiplex's best-known job here is the Metropolis apartment tower in the CBD, which it built about five years ago. The builder has almost finished Victopia, an apartment complex opposite the TVNZ building at the intersection of Nelson St and Victoria St West.

It will build the first stage of a $300 million shopping centre at Sylvia Park in Mt Wellington and has been awarded the Britomart contract to restore and refurbish historic waterfront buildings.

Pomare Auimatagi, an organiser with the Northern Amalgamated Workers Union which represents about 1400 building site workers in New Zealand, said he knew nothing of the sniper threat.

"We should have been bloody well told regardless," he said, vowing to raise the issue with the firm.

He said as of last Friday there were 13 tower cranes working in Auckland.

Multiplex Group

The Perth-headquartered property owner and developer has extensive interests in New Zealand, including:

* Multiplex Constructions (NZ), headquartered in Auckland and one of the country's largest builders, specialising in high-rise apartment towers and large-scale commercial deals

* Multiplex Tasman Property Fund, which owns New Zealand property valued last year at $294.1 million

* These include the high-rise ASB Bank Building, an office tower on Albert St, and a chain of supermarket properties and distribution stores

* Foodtowns, Woolworths and Countdown properties are in its investment portfolio.