Page 1593 - Week 05 - Thursday, 5 May 2016
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Stakeholder consultation occurs on a range of issues covered by the MOU. The parties are able to provide their views and their supporting evidence. But, again, the final decision rests with government. For example, as the result of a request from industry to see if there are ways for local industry to compete for larger projects, the number of pre-qualification categories was expanded and an annual expenditure consideration was included.
Complaints or alleged breaches to contracts raised by third parties are handled administratively with internal review to ensure that supporting material is provided and that they are forwarded to the appropriate regulator or contract manager for consideration and action.
It is worth noting, Madam Deputy Speaker, that the appointment of Kate Lundy as the local industry advocate also assists in ensuring that the local industry sector and other stakeholders are consulted on procurement matters or for issues of concern affecting procurement. They have the opportunity to raise those issues.
The 2005 MOU required agency annual reports to include specific information about government contracts. The 2015 MOU, recognising the operation of a centralised procurement agency, seeks a single report. Procurement and Capital Works is currently working on the form that this report will take. All reports to which the MOU gives rise will be made public when completed. There are two nominated contact officers, both located in Procurement and Capital Works within the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate.
The MOU and the processes that have been developed from it have to a great extent ensured that the ACT government contracts only with employers who treat their workers fairly and in accordance with the law; that where failures occur, remedial action is taken to ensure compliance in the future; that ACT government work sites are considerably safer; that there are fewer businesses going into liquidation as the result of contracting with the ACT than might otherwise have been the case; and that local ACT businesses get every opportunity to bid on and be considered for ACT government contracts.
These are important principles that underpin our approach to procurement. I think it is worth noting that there have been 388 lists of tenderers for contracts provided to UnionsACT. These lists were provided by Procurement and Capital Works within the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate.
It is also worth noting that no tenderers—not one tenderer for a contract—have been removed from consideration based on advice from UnionsACT or other unions. So all of the allegations, all of the insinuation, have proven to be absolute rubbish. Absolute rubbish! It is the sort of gross politicisation that you would expect from the Liberal Party in this place. Procurement decisions are made consistent with the requirements of the Government Procurement Act.
Mr Hanson interjecting—
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