The Department of Finance has developed new procurement legislation aimed at slashing red tape for businesses wanting to work with Government and to assist with the State’s economic recovery.
The Procurement Bill 2020 will provide a simpler procurement framework for all Government Departments and Agencies, and will help accelerate the State out of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister for Finance, Ben Wyatt said the Bill, which will replace the State Supply Commission Act 1991, would streamline tender processes and documents to make it easier for business to work with Government.
“It will also simplify procurement processes for Government to support the objectives of the Western Australian Jobs Act 2017 and the Government’s Plan for Jobs, and will improve flexibility to apply economic and social policy objectives across all areas of procurement,” Mr Wyatt said.
“It will encourage innovative opportunities with industry and other areas outside of Government through new and more flexible procurement opportunities, and improve the integrity of public sector procurement with greater audit and investigation powers.”
He said the Bill was developed following the Service Priority Review and the Special Inquiry into Government Programs and Projects, which both identified the current procurement framework as complex, fragmented and inefficient, causing frustration to small and local businesses.
“This new legislation will provide a modern, efficient and accountable procurement framework for Government to deliver services for Western Australians,” Mr Wyatt said.
“Importantly, it makes it easier for businesses to work with the Government so we can support local jobs and our State’s economic recovery post the COVID-19 pandemic.”
