The McGowan Government is progressing Australia's first debarment regime that will improve business practices and provide the Government power to suspend or debar suppliers to enhance integrity in procurement.
The regime forms part of the State Government's broader work to reform procurement practices to ensure government contracting is open, fair and transparent.
In the worst cases of wrongdoing, such as a supplier being convicted of fraud, bribery or corruption, the new regime could be used to prevent these suppliers from doing business with government.
As part of the process, suppliers would be allowed a right of response and independent review of any decision.
The regime will be supported by the Procurement Bill 2020, which was introduced to State Parliament by the Minister for Finance in May 2020.
No other Australian jurisdiction currently has a debarment regime in place that applies to all types of procurement.
Industry and the public are invited to provide written feedback on the draft debarment regime by July 27, 2020. For more information, visit http://www.wa.gov.au
As stated by Finance Minister Ben Wyatt:
"Unlawful business behaviour by suppliers undermines fair competition, is a barrier to economic growth and increases the cost and risk of doing business.
"The development and implementation of a debarment regime is evidence the State is committed to open, fair and transparent contracting, in partnership with suppliers who conduct business responsibly.
"We have an obligation to protect and safeguard the use and expenditure of public funds and to maintain public confidence in relation to our contracting.
"I encourage industry and the public to provide robust feedback to help us improve public confidence in procurement."
