It appears the government takes the position that if a subcontractor gets ripped off by a company engaged by a government agency, it’s not their problem. I’ve been asking the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) about a particular historical case where a subcontractor was ripped off by a construction company on their project and can’t get compensation. If their response is that it’s a matter for the construction company, even if that company rips off their subcontractors, it wouldn’t be a good enough response.