❓ A parliamentary question addresses Synergy's procurement and ICT failings identified by the Auditor General, seeking accountability and preventative measures across other energy utilities. The Minister confirms action taken by Synergy and oversight measures.
AnsweredQoN 850Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
SYNERGY — PROCUREMENT AND INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY SERVICES — AUDITOR GENERAL’S INQUIRY
I refer to the Auditor General’s recent inquiry into Synergy’s procurement and information and communications technology services that found the utility had a poor ICT plan and had glaring holes in its procurement processes and gift registry. (1) Has the minister demanded an explanation from Synergy; and, if not, why not? (2) What action has Synergy taken to address these issues? (3) Has the minister taken any action to ensure these issues are not prevalent within the government’s other three energy utilities; and, if not, why not? (4) If yes to (3), will the minister agree to table the resultant reports? Hon PETER COLLIER
I refer to the Auditor General’s recent inquiry into Synergy’s procurement and information and communications technology services that found the utility had a poor ICT plan and had glaring holes in its procurement processes and gift registry. (1) Has the minister demanded an explanation from Synergy; and, if not, why not? (2) What action has Synergy taken to address these issues? (3) Has the minister taken any action to ensure these issues are not prevalent within the government’s other three energy utilities; and, if not, why not? (4) If yes to (3), will the minister agree to table the resultant reports? Hon PETER COLLIER
AnswerView source ↗
(1) Yes. (2) Synergy has implemented a new contract and procurement system—CAPS—to provide ongoing management and oversight of procurement activities; established a project investment council—PIC—to establish strong and effective project gatekeeping; implemented a comprehensive restructure of the organisation, including the recruitment of a new chief information officer who will report directly to Synergy’s new chief executive officer; commenced development and implementation of a new ICT strategy, an ICT operational plan and an annual performance report; established a more centralised approach to contract management; improved and increased training of specific personnel to enable more vigorous contract and project management and governance; and implemented a new gift disclosure policy and register and conflict of interest register. (3)–(4) Through my regular monthly meetings with the chairs and chief executives, the boards of the electricity corporations are well aware of my requirement that all policies and procedures be adhered to in a transparent manner.
(1) Has the minister demanded an explanation from Synergy; and, if not, why not? (2) What action has Synergy taken to address these issues? (3) Has the minister taken any action to ensure these issues are not prevalent within the government’s other three energy utilities; and, if not, why not? (4) If yes to (3), will the minister agree to table the resultant reports? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: (1) Yes. (2) Synergy has implemented a new contract and procurement system—CAPS—to provide ongoing management and oversight of procurement activities; established a project investment council—PIC—to establish strong and effective project gatekeeping; implemented a comprehensive restructure of the organisation, including the recruitment of a new chief information officer who will report directly to Synergy’s new chief executive officer; commenced development and implementation of a new ICT strategy, an ICT operational plan and an annual performance report; established a more centralised approach to contract management; improved and increased training of specific personnel to enable more vigorous contract and project management and governance; and implemented a new gift disclosure policy and register and conflict of interest register. (3)–(4) Through my regular monthly meetings with the chairs and chief executives, the boards of the electricity corporations are well aware of my requirement that all policies and procedures be adhered to in a transparent manner.
(2) What action has Synergy taken to address these issues? (3) Has the minister taken any action to ensure these issues are not prevalent within the government’s other three energy utilities; and, if not, why not? (4) If yes to (3), will the minister agree to table the resultant reports? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: (1) Yes. (2) Synergy has implemented a new contract and procurement system—CAPS—to provide ongoing management and oversight of procurement activities; established a project investment council—PIC—to establish strong and effective project gatekeeping; implemented a comprehensive restructure of the organisation, including the recruitment of a new chief information officer who will report directly to Synergy’s new chief executive officer; commenced development and implementation of a new ICT strategy, an ICT operational plan and an annual performance report; established a more centralised approach to contract management; improved and increased training of specific personnel to enable more vigorous contract and project management and governance; and implemented a new gift disclosure policy and register and conflict of interest register. (3)–(4) Through my regular monthly meetings with the chairs and chief executives, the boards of the electricity corporations are well aware of my requirement that all policies and procedures be adhered to in a transparent manner.
(3) Has the minister taken any action to ensure these issues are not prevalent within the government’s other three energy utilities; and, if not, why not? (4) If yes to (3), will the minister agree to table the resultant reports? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: (1) Yes. (2) Synergy has implemented a new contract and procurement system—CAPS—to provide ongoing management and oversight of procurement activities; established a project investment council—PIC—to establish strong and effective project gatekeeping; implemented a comprehensive restructure of the organisation, including the recruitment of a new chief information officer who will report directly to Synergy’s new chief executive officer; commenced development and implementation of a new ICT strategy, an ICT operational plan and an annual performance report; established a more centralised approach to contract management; improved and increased training of specific personnel to enable more vigorous contract and project management and governance; and implemented a new gift disclosure policy and register and conflict of interest register. (3)–(4) Through my regular monthly meetings with the chairs and chief executives, the boards of the electricity corporations are well aware of my requirement that all policies and procedures be adhered to in a transparent manner.
(4) If yes to (3), will the minister agree to table the resultant reports? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: (1) Yes. (2) Synergy has implemented a new contract and procurement system—CAPS—to provide ongoing management and oversight of procurement activities; established a project investment council—PIC—to establish strong and effective project gatekeeping; implemented a comprehensive restructure of the organisation, including the recruitment of a new chief information officer who will report directly to Synergy’s new chief executive officer; commenced development and implementation of a new ICT strategy, an ICT operational plan and an annual performance report; established a more centralised approach to contract management; improved and increased training of specific personnel to enable more vigorous contract and project management and governance; and implemented a new gift disclosure policy and register and conflict of interest register. (3)–(4) Through my regular monthly meetings with the chairs and chief executives, the boards of the electricity corporations are well aware of my requirement that all policies and procedures be adhered to in a transparent manner.
Hon PETER COLLIER replied: (1) Yes. (2) Synergy has implemented a new contract and procurement system—CAPS—to provide ongoing management and oversight of procurement activities; established a project investment council—PIC—to establish strong and effective project gatekeeping; implemented a comprehensive restructure of the organisation, including the recruitment of a new chief information officer who will report directly to Synergy’s new chief executive officer; commenced development and implementation of a new ICT strategy, an ICT operational plan and an annual performance report; established a more centralised approach to contract management; improved and increased training of specific personnel to enable more vigorous contract and project management and governance; and implemented a new gift disclosure policy and register and conflict of interest register. (3)–(4) Through my regular monthly meetings with the chairs and chief executives, the boards of the electricity corporations are well aware of my requirement that all policies and procedures be adhered to in a transparent manner.
(1) Yes. (2) Synergy has implemented a new contract and procurement system—CAPS—to provide ongoing management and oversight of procurement activities; established a project investment council—PIC—to establish strong and effective project gatekeeping; implemented a comprehensive restructure of the organisation, including the recruitment of a new chief information officer who will report directly to Synergy’s new chief executive officer; commenced development and implementation of a new ICT strategy, an ICT operational plan and an annual performance report; established a more centralised approach to contract management; improved and increased training of specific personnel to enable more vigorous contract and project management and governance; and implemented a new gift disclosure policy and register and conflict of interest register. (3)–(4) Through my regular monthly meetings with the chairs and chief executives, the boards of the electricity corporations are well aware of my requirement that all policies and procedures be adhered to in a transparent manner.
(2) Synergy has implemented a new contract and procurement system—CAPS—to provide ongoing management and oversight of procurement activities; established a project investment council—PIC—to establish strong and effective project gatekeeping; implemented a comprehensive restructure of the organisation, including the recruitment of a new chief information officer who will report directly to Synergy’s new chief executive officer; commenced development and implementation of a new ICT strategy, an ICT operational plan and an annual performance report; established a more centralised approach to contract management; improved and increased training of specific personnel to enable more vigorous contract and project management and governance; and implemented a new gift disclosure policy and register and conflict of interest register. (3)–(4) Through my regular monthly meetings with the chairs and chief executives, the boards of the electricity corporations are well aware of my requirement that all policies and procedures be adhered to in a transparent manner.
(3)–(4) Through my regular monthly meetings with the chairs and chief executives, the boards of the electricity corporations are well aware of my requirement that all policies and procedures be adhered to in a transparent manner.
(1) Has the minister demanded an explanation from Synergy; and, if not, why not? (2) What action has Synergy taken to address these issues? (3) Has the minister taken any action to ensure these issues are not prevalent within the government’s other three energy utilities; and, if not, why not? (4) If yes to (3), will the minister agree to table the resultant reports? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: (1) Yes. (2) Synergy has implemented a new contract and procurement system—CAPS—to provide ongoing management and oversight of procurement activities; established a project investment council—PIC—to establish strong and effective project gatekeeping; implemented a comprehensive restructure of the organisation, including the recruitment of a new chief information officer who will report directly to Synergy’s new chief executive officer; commenced development and implementation of a new ICT strategy, an ICT operational plan and an annual performance report; established a more centralised approach to contract management; improved and increased training of specific personnel to enable more vigorous contract and project management and governance; and implemented a new gift disclosure policy and register and conflict of interest register. (3)–(4) Through my regular monthly meetings with the chairs and chief executives, the boards of the electricity corporations are well aware of my requirement that all policies and procedures be adhered to in a transparent manner.
(2) What action has Synergy taken to address these issues? (3) Has the minister taken any action to ensure these issues are not prevalent within the government’s other three energy utilities; and, if not, why not? (4) If yes to (3), will the minister agree to table the resultant reports? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: (1) Yes. (2) Synergy has implemented a new contract and procurement system—CAPS—to provide ongoing management and oversight of procurement activities; established a project investment council—PIC—to establish strong and effective project gatekeeping; implemented a comprehensive restructure of the organisation, including the recruitment of a new chief information officer who will report directly to Synergy’s new chief executive officer; commenced development and implementation of a new ICT strategy, an ICT operational plan and an annual performance report; established a more centralised approach to contract management; improved and increased training of specific personnel to enable more vigorous contract and project management and governance; and implemented a new gift disclosure policy and register and conflict of interest register. (3)–(4) Through my regular monthly meetings with the chairs and chief executives, the boards of the electricity corporations are well aware of my requirement that all policies and procedures be adhered to in a transparent manner.
(3) Has the minister taken any action to ensure these issues are not prevalent within the government’s other three energy utilities; and, if not, why not? (4) If yes to (3), will the minister agree to table the resultant reports? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: (1) Yes. (2) Synergy has implemented a new contract and procurement system—CAPS—to provide ongoing management and oversight of procurement activities; established a project investment council—PIC—to establish strong and effective project gatekeeping; implemented a comprehensive restructure of the organisation, including the recruitment of a new chief information officer who will report directly to Synergy’s new chief executive officer; commenced development and implementation of a new ICT strategy, an ICT operational plan and an annual performance report; established a more centralised approach to contract management; improved and increased training of specific personnel to enable more vigorous contract and project management and governance; and implemented a new gift disclosure policy and register and conflict of interest register. (3)–(4) Through my regular monthly meetings with the chairs and chief executives, the boards of the electricity corporations are well aware of my requirement that all policies and procedures be adhered to in a transparent manner.
(4) If yes to (3), will the minister agree to table the resultant reports? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: (1) Yes. (2) Synergy has implemented a new contract and procurement system—CAPS—to provide ongoing management and oversight of procurement activities; established a project investment council—PIC—to establish strong and effective project gatekeeping; implemented a comprehensive restructure of the organisation, including the recruitment of a new chief information officer who will report directly to Synergy’s new chief executive officer; commenced development and implementation of a new ICT strategy, an ICT operational plan and an annual performance report; established a more centralised approach to contract management; improved and increased training of specific personnel to enable more vigorous contract and project management and governance; and implemented a new gift disclosure policy and register and conflict of interest register. (3)–(4) Through my regular monthly meetings with the chairs and chief executives, the boards of the electricity corporations are well aware of my requirement that all policies and procedures be adhered to in a transparent manner.
Hon PETER COLLIER replied: (1) Yes. (2) Synergy has implemented a new contract and procurement system—CAPS—to provide ongoing management and oversight of procurement activities; established a project investment council—PIC—to establish strong and effective project gatekeeping; implemented a comprehensive restructure of the organisation, including the recruitment of a new chief information officer who will report directly to Synergy’s new chief executive officer; commenced development and implementation of a new ICT strategy, an ICT operational plan and an annual performance report; established a more centralised approach to contract management; improved and increased training of specific personnel to enable more vigorous contract and project management and governance; and implemented a new gift disclosure policy and register and conflict of interest register. (3)–(4) Through my regular monthly meetings with the chairs and chief executives, the boards of the electricity corporations are well aware of my requirement that all policies and procedures be adhered to in a transparent manner.
(1) Yes. (2) Synergy has implemented a new contract and procurement system—CAPS—to provide ongoing management and oversight of procurement activities; established a project investment council—PIC—to establish strong and effective project gatekeeping; implemented a comprehensive restructure of the organisation, including the recruitment of a new chief information officer who will report directly to Synergy’s new chief executive officer; commenced development and implementation of a new ICT strategy, an ICT operational plan and an annual performance report; established a more centralised approach to contract management; improved and increased training of specific personnel to enable more vigorous contract and project management and governance; and implemented a new gift disclosure policy and register and conflict of interest register. (3)–(4) Through my regular monthly meetings with the chairs and chief executives, the boards of the electricity corporations are well aware of my requirement that all policies and procedures be adhered to in a transparent manner.
(2) Synergy has implemented a new contract and procurement system—CAPS—to provide ongoing management and oversight of procurement activities; established a project investment council—PIC—to establish strong and effective project gatekeeping; implemented a comprehensive restructure of the organisation, including the recruitment of a new chief information officer who will report directly to Synergy’s new chief executive officer; commenced development and implementation of a new ICT strategy, an ICT operational plan and an annual performance report; established a more centralised approach to contract management; improved and increased training of specific personnel to enable more vigorous contract and project management and governance; and implemented a new gift disclosure policy and register and conflict of interest register. (3)–(4) Through my regular monthly meetings with the chairs and chief executives, the boards of the electricity corporations are well aware of my requirement that all policies and procedures be adhered to in a transparent manner.
(3)–(4) Through my regular monthly meetings with the chairs and chief executives, the boards of the electricity corporations are well aware of my requirement that all policies and procedures be adhered to in a transparent manner.
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