Australian Federal Govt to appoint procurement co-ordinator

The Federal Government will appoint a procurement tsar as part of its strategy to take the sting out of the union movement’s ‘‘buy Australia’’ push at this week’s Labor Party national conference.

In a speech today, the Finance Minister, Lindsay Tanner, will again rebuff union calls that preferential treatment be given to Australian businesses when it comes to the provision of government goods and services. Mr Tanner, whose department oversees the annual purchase of about $25 billion in goods and services, will promise to establish a procurement co-ordinator.

Mr Tanner said one of the main problems for Australian businesses was they were unaware of opportunities.
Businesses seeking lucrative government work could contact the co-ordinator.

‘‘Instead of wandering around in a fog, Australian producers will have a much better idea of where new opportunities may lie,’’ he will say today.

Mr Tanner will also pledge to give earlier and more public notice of procurement opportunities to improve the prospects of businesses competing for work.

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