The McGowan Government's new Western Australian Procurement Framework is now, in effect, cutting red tape and making it easier for small to medium enterprise to work with government.
The Framework, which is supported by the Procurement Act 2020, brings together goods, services and works procurement under one piece of legislation.
This enables more streamlined procurement policies and practices to be set, and makes the State Government's procurement landscape easier to understand.
The changes respond to recommendations from the Service Priority Review and Special Inquiry into Government Programs and Projects. These reviews found the previous procurement framework was fragmented and difficult for practitioners and suppliers to navigate.
The Act is also supported by the Western Australian Social Procurement Framework, which prioritises the State Government's social, economic and environmental policies.
The focus on community-based outcomes will create more local jobs, better support WA's regions, and improve engagement with Aboriginal businesses.
There are also provisions for a debarment regime. The debarment regime is vital in ensuring the State Government only works with ethical suppliers and contractors, and will also ensure these businesses have the best opportunity to work with government.
The debarment regime is expected to be introduced later this year.
Extensive consultation with government agencies and industry was undertaken prior to the Framework being introduced and has developed new, efficient procurement documents and guidance material.
For more information visit https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-finance
As stated by Finance Minister Tony Buti:
"The new framework streamlines WA's procurement model - making it easier for more businesses to work with government.
"The act encourages local businesses to bid on government projects by streamlining the procurement system, therefore reducing the cost attributed to procurement.
"The reform has been developed over many months and I would like to thank everyone that has supported and contributed to this vital procurement reform project.
"This consultation involved industry, including regional businesses and peak organisations, the community services sector, procurement practitioners and agency leaders from across the public sector."
