The Department of Finance has launched a new strategy for State Government purchasing based on a more sustainable commissioning approach to suppliers and focused on long-term outcomes for individuals and the community.
In a statement, the Department said the State Commissioning Strategy for Community Services would drive greater cohesion and transparency between State Government Agencies, service providers, peak bodies, consumer advocates and service users when commissioning services.
“Commissioning is the cyclical process of planning, purchasing, managing, monitoring and evaluating services with the aim of ensuring that every available dollar is allocated in the optimal manner,” the Department said.
“The Strategy and its Implementation Plan reflects a shift away from the current purchasing model to a more holistic, proactive and sustainable commissioning approach resulting in people having better access to services.”
It said the Strategy would also build greater capability, capacity and flexibility for community services to allow agile responses to changing community needs.
Minister for Finance, Tony Buti said the Strategy signalled an important change to the way community services were procured and delivered,” Mr Buti said.
“The goal of commissioning services with a longer-term vision will ensure better planning and transparency with a focus on sustainable services,” he said.
“The strategy encourages employment of women, youth and Aboriginal people to progress a diverse workforce in the sector.
“The strategy maps out how the Government can deliver these important services by working together to design integrated and place-based services, with a focus on prevention and early intervention.”
The 23-page State Commissioning Strategy for Community Services 2022 can be accessed at this PS News link.
