Foreword from the Minister for Finance and Deregulation
In the last financial year the Australian Government awarded contracts worth close to $33 billion, making it one of the largest consumers of goods and services in the country. As an organisation that purchases everything from office supplies, through to military machinery, there are obvious challenges in managing this procurement.
In an environment in which the products and services being purchased are so diverse, it is all the more important that sound procurement practices are in place to ensure we get the best outcomes. Whether the Government is buying paper or helicopters, our procurement must remain efficient, effective and ethical.
As always, the Government’s focus remains on getting the best possible value for money in all our purchases, but in achieving this we are encouraging innovation and flexibility. Since I addressed the last CIPSA Public Sector Procurement Forum in July last year the Rudd Government has initiated a number of procurement reforms designed to reinforce those principles.
We are making innovative improvements to AusTender, the Government’s electronic tendering and contract information system. AusTender will soon allow users to easily search agencies’ annual procurement plans, which will help businesses in their own planning.
We have announced new policies requiring tenderers to comply with the Fair Work Principles and to develop an Australian Industry Participation plan for large tenders. Revised policies for air travel and indigenous employment have also been released.
And we are reducing red tape in the procurement process through initiatives such as developing standard contract documents for use by agencies when approaching the market for accounting and related professional services.
Those of you who were at last year’s conference may recall that I announced we would establish the position of Procurement Coordinator within the Government. This reform is one of the most significant of the last year. Information is undoubtedly vital to good procurement outcomes and the Procurement Coordinator provides a point for that information to flow between industry and government. Feedback from both sides indicates this is working well.
I would like to commend CIPSA for the work they have done in not only organising this forum, but in raising professional procurement standards throughout Australia. This conference presents another opportunity for procurement professionals to further enhance those standards. I look forward to taking part in that process with you.
Lindsay Tanner
Minister for Finance and Deregulation
