Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 4 Hansard (8 May) . . Page.. 1223 ..

The Policy is also supplemented by related policies, manuals and guidelines, including the Purchasing Manual and circulars; the Disposal Policy; consultancy guidelines; Quality Assurance Policy for goods and services; Information Technology purchasing guidelines; Competitive Tendering and Contracts guidelines; Competitive Neutrality in the ACT guidelines; Code of Ethics in Procurement; and the Code of Tendering.

This policy has been adopted by the Government and forms the basis for all Government purchasing.

The Chief Executives of each agency are also required to issue Financial Instructions specific to their respective agency functions.

These documents are reviewed regularly to ensure they reflect administrative reforms and the changing public sector environment.

(2) ACT Purchasing Policy became effective on 1 January 1995. In the initial stage of the review of the policy, the opportunity to provide community input was publicly advertised. The Policy was developed in consultation with a joint local industry and government working party. The views of local industry were paramount in the enhancement of the previous purchasing policy. The Policy, whilst retaining the previous policy principles of `value for money' and `open and effective competition' introduced a new objective:

"Government purchasing is to be aimed at maximising the opportunity for the procurement of Canberra Region industry goods and services consistent with the principles of best value for money and open and effective competition."

The primary tool used in the implementation of the Policy is the Government's Buyers and Sellers Information Service (basis).

The objective of maximising the opportunities for local suppliers requires agencies to:

. have a focus on the Canberra (local) region, actively supporting local suppliers;

. seek at least one quotation from local suppliers for goods and services valued below $2,000;

. seek at least three written quotations from local suppliers for purchases between $2,000 and $50,000 (purchases above $50,000 are normally publicly advertised);

. seek a Canberra Region Industry Plan for purchases over $1m (discussions are underway with the construction industry concerning application of the Plans to Capital Works purchases);

. consider the benefits of buying locally in all purchasing activities;

. use ACT Government Common Use Contracts (sometimes known as period contracts);

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .