❓ Hon Norman Moore questions Hon Tom Stephens regarding government purchasing policies, specifically concerning a $4 million earthworks contract awarded without a tender process and potential bypasses of procurement policies by public corporations. Stephens defends the government's policies, citing transparency and exemptions.
AnsweredQoN 1186Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
GOVERNMENT PURCHASING POLICY
(1) Does the minister acknowledge that he has responsibility through the State Supply Commission for government purchasing policies? (2) Can the minister inform the House whether public corporations under the Labor Government have been allowed to bypass government procurement policies that require tenders to be called for purchases valued at $50 000 and above? (3) Does the minister’s answer given yesterday to a question about the awarding of a $4 million earthworks contract without a tender process indicate his abdication of responsibility and concern for proper and accountable purchasing practices in the public sector? Hon TOM STEPHENS
(1) Does the minister acknowledge that he has responsibility through the State Supply Commission for government purchasing policies? (2) Can the minister inform the House whether public corporations under the Labor Government have been allowed to bypass government procurement policies that require tenders to be called for purchases valued at $50 000 and above? (3) Does the minister’s answer given yesterday to a question about the awarding of a $4 million earthworks contract without a tender process indicate his abdication of responsibility and concern for proper and accountable purchasing practices in the public sector? Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) The Leader of the Opposition would do well to study the State Supply Commission’s policies and guidelines that it has made available to assist government departments and agencies with the contracting arrangements into which they enter. That set of guidelines and policies includes opportunities for departments to look at ways to obtain best value for money and to ensure that transparency is maintained. There are also opportunities for contract variations. In reference to the particular case, there has been no reduction in the strength of the State Supply Commission’s policies since we have been in government. If anything, it has been tightened and the level of transparency increased. We have completed some variations that ensure that contracts of a certain value have been reduced from the heights seen under the previous Government. I have forgotten the figure; I think it is down to $500 000. There must be full disclosure of those contracts and they must be made transparent. There have always been exemptions from aspects of this policy for some of the government trading enterprises and some arms of government. Whether those exemptions should always apply is constantly being considered by government. Even when the exemptions exist or are granted, the guidelines and policies guide the way departments and trading enterprises operate. Those guidelines and policies are drawn upon to assist those agencies and authorities to utilise the best practice for government purchasing and contracting. Hon Norman Moore: Are you satisfied in this case? Hon TOM STEPHENS: In this particular case, the question is not put to me because - Hon Norman Moore: You are in charge of government policy on that. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I made it quite clear to the Leader of the Opposition yesterday that in this particular case, I have no deliberate - Hon Norman Moore: Are you responsible for the Government’s procurement policy? The PRESIDENT: Order! If the minister has finished his answer, we will move on to the next question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will finish my answer by saying that I am responsible for the Government’s policies, and the policies provide for specific exemptions of which this is one.
(2) Can the minister inform the House whether public corporations under the Labor Government have been allowed to bypass government procurement policies that require tenders to be called for purchases valued at $50 000 and above? (3) Does the minister’s answer given yesterday to a question about the awarding of a $4 million earthworks contract without a tender process indicate his abdication of responsibility and concern for proper and accountable purchasing practices in the public sector? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(3) The Leader of the Opposition would do well to study the State Supply Commission’s policies and guidelines that it has made available to assist government departments and agencies with the contracting arrangements into which they enter. That set of guidelines and policies includes opportunities for departments to look at ways to obtain best value for money and to ensure that transparency is maintained. There are also opportunities for contract variations. In reference to the particular case, there has been no reduction in the strength of the State Supply Commission’s policies since we have been in government. If anything, it has been tightened and the level of transparency increased. We have completed some variations that ensure that contracts of a certain value have been reduced from the heights seen under the previous Government. I have forgotten the figure; I think it is down to $500 000. There must be full disclosure of those contracts and they must be made transparent. There have always been exemptions from aspects of this policy for some of the government trading enterprises and some arms of government. Whether those exemptions should always apply is constantly being considered by government. Even when the exemptions exist or are granted, the guidelines and policies guide the way departments and trading enterprises operate. Those guidelines and policies are drawn upon to assist those agencies and authorities to utilise the best practice for government purchasing and contracting. Hon Norman Moore: Are you satisfied in this case? Hon TOM STEPHENS: In this particular case, the question is not put to me because - Hon Norman Moore: You are in charge of government policy on that. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I made it quite clear to the Leader of the Opposition yesterday that in this particular case, I have no deliberate - Hon Norman Moore: Are you responsible for the Government’s procurement policy? The PRESIDENT: Order! If the minister has finished his answer, we will move on to the next question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will finish my answer by saying that I am responsible for the Government’s policies, and the policies provide for specific exemptions of which this is one.
(3) Does the minister’s answer given yesterday to a question about the awarding of a $4 million earthworks contract without a tender process indicate his abdication of responsibility and concern for proper and accountable purchasing practices in the public sector? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(3) The Leader of the Opposition would do well to study the State Supply Commission’s policies and guidelines that it has made available to assist government departments and agencies with the contracting arrangements into which they enter. That set of guidelines and policies includes opportunities for departments to look at ways to obtain best value for money and to ensure that transparency is maintained. There are also opportunities for contract variations. In reference to the particular case, there has been no reduction in the strength of the State Supply Commission’s policies since we have been in government. If anything, it has been tightened and the level of transparency increased. We have completed some variations that ensure that contracts of a certain value have been reduced from the heights seen under the previous Government. I have forgotten the figure; I think it is down to $500 000. There must be full disclosure of those contracts and they must be made transparent. There have always been exemptions from aspects of this policy for some of the government trading enterprises and some arms of government. Whether those exemptions should always apply is constantly being considered by government. Even when the exemptions exist or are granted, the guidelines and policies guide the way departments and trading enterprises operate. Those guidelines and policies are drawn upon to assist those agencies and authorities to utilise the best practice for government purchasing and contracting. Hon Norman Moore: Are you satisfied in this case? Hon TOM STEPHENS: In this particular case, the question is not put to me because - Hon Norman Moore: You are in charge of government policy on that. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I made it quite clear to the Leader of the Opposition yesterday that in this particular case, I have no deliberate - Hon Norman Moore: Are you responsible for the Government’s procurement policy? The PRESIDENT: Order! If the minister has finished his answer, we will move on to the next question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will finish my answer by saying that I am responsible for the Government’s policies, and the policies provide for specific exemptions of which this is one.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(3) The Leader of the Opposition would do well to study the State Supply Commission’s policies and guidelines that it has made available to assist government departments and agencies with the contracting arrangements into which they enter. That set of guidelines and policies includes opportunities for departments to look at ways to obtain best value for money and to ensure that transparency is maintained. There are also opportunities for contract variations. In reference to the particular case, there has been no reduction in the strength of the State Supply Commission’s policies since we have been in government. If anything, it has been tightened and the level of transparency increased. We have completed some variations that ensure that contracts of a certain value have been reduced from the heights seen under the previous Government. I have forgotten the figure; I think it is down to $500 000. There must be full disclosure of those contracts and they must be made transparent. There have always been exemptions from aspects of this policy for some of the government trading enterprises and some arms of government. Whether those exemptions should always apply is constantly being considered by government. Even when the exemptions exist or are granted, the guidelines and policies guide the way departments and trading enterprises operate. Those guidelines and policies are drawn upon to assist those agencies and authorities to utilise the best practice for government purchasing and contracting. Hon Norman Moore: Are you satisfied in this case? Hon TOM STEPHENS: In this particular case, the question is not put to me because - Hon Norman Moore: You are in charge of government policy on that. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I made it quite clear to the Leader of the Opposition yesterday that in this particular case, I have no deliberate - Hon Norman Moore: Are you responsible for the Government’s procurement policy? The PRESIDENT: Order! If the minister has finished his answer, we will move on to the next question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will finish my answer by saying that I am responsible for the Government’s policies, and the policies provide for specific exemptions of which this is one.
(1)-(3) The Leader of the Opposition would do well to study the State Supply Commission’s policies and guidelines that it has made available to assist government departments and agencies with the contracting arrangements into which they enter. That set of guidelines and policies includes opportunities for departments to look at ways to obtain best value for money and to ensure that transparency is maintained. There are also opportunities for contract variations. In reference to the particular case, there has been no reduction in the strength of the State Supply Commission’s policies since we have been in government. If anything, it has been tightened and the level of transparency increased. We have completed some variations that ensure that contracts of a certain value have been reduced from the heights seen under the previous Government. I have forgotten the figure; I think it is down to $500 000. There must be full disclosure of those contracts and they must be made transparent. There have always been exemptions from aspects of this policy for some of the government trading enterprises and some arms of government. Whether those exemptions should always apply is constantly being considered by government. Even when the exemptions exist or are granted, the guidelines and policies guide the way departments and trading enterprises operate. Those guidelines and policies are drawn upon to assist those agencies and authorities to utilise the best practice for government purchasing and contracting. Hon Norman Moore: Are you satisfied in this case? Hon TOM STEPHENS: In this particular case, the question is not put to me because - Hon Norman Moore: You are in charge of government policy on that. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I made it quite clear to the Leader of the Opposition yesterday that in this particular case, I have no deliberate - Hon Norman Moore: Are you responsible for the Government’s procurement policy? The PRESIDENT: Order! If the minister has finished his answer, we will move on to the next question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will finish my answer by saying that I am responsible for the Government’s policies, and the policies provide for specific exemptions of which this is one.
There have always been exemptions from aspects of this policy for some of the government trading enterprises and some arms of government. Whether those exemptions should always apply is constantly being considered by government. Even when the exemptions exist or are granted, the guidelines and policies guide the way departments and trading enterprises operate. Those guidelines and policies are drawn upon to assist those agencies and authorities to utilise the best practice for government purchasing and contracting.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: In this particular case, the question is not put to me because - Hon Norman Moore: You are in charge of government policy on that. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I made it quite clear to the Leader of the Opposition yesterday that in this particular case, I have no deliberate - Hon Norman Moore: Are you responsible for the Government’s procurement policy? The PRESIDENT: Order! If the minister has finished his answer, we will move on to the next question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will finish my answer by saying that I am responsible for the Government’s policies, and the policies provide for specific exemptions of which this is one.
Hon Norman Moore: You are in charge of government policy on that. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I made it quite clear to the Leader of the Opposition yesterday that in this particular case, I have no deliberate - Hon Norman Moore: Are you responsible for the Government’s procurement policy? The PRESIDENT: Order! If the minister has finished his answer, we will move on to the next question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will finish my answer by saying that I am responsible for the Government’s policies, and the policies provide for specific exemptions of which this is one.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: I made it quite clear to the Leader of the Opposition yesterday that in this particular case, I have no deliberate - Hon Norman Moore: Are you responsible for the Government’s procurement policy? The PRESIDENT: Order! If the minister has finished his answer, we will move on to the next question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will finish my answer by saying that I am responsible for the Government’s policies, and the policies provide for specific exemptions of which this is one.
Hon Norman Moore: Are you responsible for the Government’s procurement policy? The PRESIDENT: Order! If the minister has finished his answer, we will move on to the next question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will finish my answer by saying that I am responsible for the Government’s policies, and the policies provide for specific exemptions of which this is one.
The PRESIDENT: Order! If the minister has finished his answer, we will move on to the next question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will finish my answer by saying that I am responsible for the Government’s policies, and the policies provide for specific exemptions of which this is one.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will finish my answer by saying that I am responsible for the Government’s policies, and the policies provide for specific exemptions of which this is one.
(2) Can the minister inform the House whether public corporations under the Labor Government have been allowed to bypass government procurement policies that require tenders to be called for purchases valued at $50 000 and above? (3) Does the minister’s answer given yesterday to a question about the awarding of a $4 million earthworks contract without a tender process indicate his abdication of responsibility and concern for proper and accountable purchasing practices in the public sector? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(3) The Leader of the Opposition would do well to study the State Supply Commission’s policies and guidelines that it has made available to assist government departments and agencies with the contracting arrangements into which they enter. That set of guidelines and policies includes opportunities for departments to look at ways to obtain best value for money and to ensure that transparency is maintained. There are also opportunities for contract variations. In reference to the particular case, there has been no reduction in the strength of the State Supply Commission’s policies since we have been in government. If anything, it has been tightened and the level of transparency increased. We have completed some variations that ensure that contracts of a certain value have been reduced from the heights seen under the previous Government. I have forgotten the figure; I think it is down to $500 000. There must be full disclosure of those contracts and they must be made transparent. There have always been exemptions from aspects of this policy for some of the government trading enterprises and some arms of government. Whether those exemptions should always apply is constantly being considered by government. Even when the exemptions exist or are granted, the guidelines and policies guide the way departments and trading enterprises operate. Those guidelines and policies are drawn upon to assist those agencies and authorities to utilise the best practice for government purchasing and contracting. Hon Norman Moore: Are you satisfied in this case? Hon TOM STEPHENS: In this particular case, the question is not put to me because - Hon Norman Moore: You are in charge of government policy on that. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I made it quite clear to the Leader of the Opposition yesterday that in this particular case, I have no deliberate - Hon Norman Moore: Are you responsible for the Government’s procurement policy? The PRESIDENT: Order! If the minister has finished his answer, we will move on to the next question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will finish my answer by saying that I am responsible for the Government’s policies, and the policies provide for specific exemptions of which this is one.
(3) Does the minister’s answer given yesterday to a question about the awarding of a $4 million earthworks contract without a tender process indicate his abdication of responsibility and concern for proper and accountable purchasing practices in the public sector? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(3) The Leader of the Opposition would do well to study the State Supply Commission’s policies and guidelines that it has made available to assist government departments and agencies with the contracting arrangements into which they enter. That set of guidelines and policies includes opportunities for departments to look at ways to obtain best value for money and to ensure that transparency is maintained. There are also opportunities for contract variations. In reference to the particular case, there has been no reduction in the strength of the State Supply Commission’s policies since we have been in government. If anything, it has been tightened and the level of transparency increased. We have completed some variations that ensure that contracts of a certain value have been reduced from the heights seen under the previous Government. I have forgotten the figure; I think it is down to $500 000. There must be full disclosure of those contracts and they must be made transparent. There have always been exemptions from aspects of this policy for some of the government trading enterprises and some arms of government. Whether those exemptions should always apply is constantly being considered by government. Even when the exemptions exist or are granted, the guidelines and policies guide the way departments and trading enterprises operate. Those guidelines and policies are drawn upon to assist those agencies and authorities to utilise the best practice for government purchasing and contracting. Hon Norman Moore: Are you satisfied in this case? Hon TOM STEPHENS: In this particular case, the question is not put to me because - Hon Norman Moore: You are in charge of government policy on that. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I made it quite clear to the Leader of the Opposition yesterday that in this particular case, I have no deliberate - Hon Norman Moore: Are you responsible for the Government’s procurement policy? The PRESIDENT: Order! If the minister has finished his answer, we will move on to the next question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will finish my answer by saying that I am responsible for the Government’s policies, and the policies provide for specific exemptions of which this is one.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(3) The Leader of the Opposition would do well to study the State Supply Commission’s policies and guidelines that it has made available to assist government departments and agencies with the contracting arrangements into which they enter. That set of guidelines and policies includes opportunities for departments to look at ways to obtain best value for money and to ensure that transparency is maintained. There are also opportunities for contract variations. In reference to the particular case, there has been no reduction in the strength of the State Supply Commission’s policies since we have been in government. If anything, it has been tightened and the level of transparency increased. We have completed some variations that ensure that contracts of a certain value have been reduced from the heights seen under the previous Government. I have forgotten the figure; I think it is down to $500 000. There must be full disclosure of those contracts and they must be made transparent. There have always been exemptions from aspects of this policy for some of the government trading enterprises and some arms of government. Whether those exemptions should always apply is constantly being considered by government. Even when the exemptions exist or are granted, the guidelines and policies guide the way departments and trading enterprises operate. Those guidelines and policies are drawn upon to assist those agencies and authorities to utilise the best practice for government purchasing and contracting. Hon Norman Moore: Are you satisfied in this case? Hon TOM STEPHENS: In this particular case, the question is not put to me because - Hon Norman Moore: You are in charge of government policy on that. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I made it quite clear to the Leader of the Opposition yesterday that in this particular case, I have no deliberate - Hon Norman Moore: Are you responsible for the Government’s procurement policy? The PRESIDENT: Order! If the minister has finished his answer, we will move on to the next question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will finish my answer by saying that I am responsible for the Government’s policies, and the policies provide for specific exemptions of which this is one.
(1)-(3) The Leader of the Opposition would do well to study the State Supply Commission’s policies and guidelines that it has made available to assist government departments and agencies with the contracting arrangements into which they enter. That set of guidelines and policies includes opportunities for departments to look at ways to obtain best value for money and to ensure that transparency is maintained. There are also opportunities for contract variations. In reference to the particular case, there has been no reduction in the strength of the State Supply Commission’s policies since we have been in government. If anything, it has been tightened and the level of transparency increased. We have completed some variations that ensure that contracts of a certain value have been reduced from the heights seen under the previous Government. I have forgotten the figure; I think it is down to $500 000. There must be full disclosure of those contracts and they must be made transparent. There have always been exemptions from aspects of this policy for some of the government trading enterprises and some arms of government. Whether those exemptions should always apply is constantly being considered by government. Even when the exemptions exist or are granted, the guidelines and policies guide the way departments and trading enterprises operate. Those guidelines and policies are drawn upon to assist those agencies and authorities to utilise the best practice for government purchasing and contracting. Hon Norman Moore: Are you satisfied in this case? Hon TOM STEPHENS: In this particular case, the question is not put to me because - Hon Norman Moore: You are in charge of government policy on that. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I made it quite clear to the Leader of the Opposition yesterday that in this particular case, I have no deliberate - Hon Norman Moore: Are you responsible for the Government’s procurement policy? The PRESIDENT: Order! If the minister has finished his answer, we will move on to the next question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will finish my answer by saying that I am responsible for the Government’s policies, and the policies provide for specific exemptions of which this is one.
There have always been exemptions from aspects of this policy for some of the government trading enterprises and some arms of government. Whether those exemptions should always apply is constantly being considered by government. Even when the exemptions exist or are granted, the guidelines and policies guide the way departments and trading enterprises operate. Those guidelines and policies are drawn upon to assist those agencies and authorities to utilise the best practice for government purchasing and contracting.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: In this particular case, the question is not put to me because - Hon Norman Moore: You are in charge of government policy on that. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I made it quite clear to the Leader of the Opposition yesterday that in this particular case, I have no deliberate - Hon Norman Moore: Are you responsible for the Government’s procurement policy? The PRESIDENT: Order! If the minister has finished his answer, we will move on to the next question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will finish my answer by saying that I am responsible for the Government’s policies, and the policies provide for specific exemptions of which this is one.
Hon Norman Moore: You are in charge of government policy on that. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I made it quite clear to the Leader of the Opposition yesterday that in this particular case, I have no deliberate - Hon Norman Moore: Are you responsible for the Government’s procurement policy? The PRESIDENT: Order! If the minister has finished his answer, we will move on to the next question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will finish my answer by saying that I am responsible for the Government’s policies, and the policies provide for specific exemptions of which this is one.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: I made it quite clear to the Leader of the Opposition yesterday that in this particular case, I have no deliberate - Hon Norman Moore: Are you responsible for the Government’s procurement policy? The PRESIDENT: Order! If the minister has finished his answer, we will move on to the next question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will finish my answer by saying that I am responsible for the Government’s policies, and the policies provide for specific exemptions of which this is one.
Hon Norman Moore: Are you responsible for the Government’s procurement policy? The PRESIDENT: Order! If the minister has finished his answer, we will move on to the next question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will finish my answer by saying that I am responsible for the Government’s policies, and the policies provide for specific exemptions of which this is one.
The PRESIDENT: Order! If the minister has finished his answer, we will move on to the next question. Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will finish my answer by saying that I am responsible for the Government’s policies, and the policies provide for specific exemptions of which this is one.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: I will finish my answer by saying that I am responsible for the Government’s policies, and the policies provide for specific exemptions of which this is one.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.