Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 8 Hansard (31 August) . . Page.. 2843 ..

3.3 Open and Effective Competition

All purchasing is to be conducted in an environment where "open and effective competition" is a prime operating principle.

Open and effective competition is achieved when the actions of the Government are open, frank and unbiased in an atmosphere of probity and accountability. The purchasing methodology selected should provide for an appropriate level of competition, consistent with achieving value for money.

This principle has the following essential elements:

� Territory procurement is to be visible and accessible for suppliers wishing to do business;

� the Government and the public are entitled to know the cost and amount of supplies, and the names of suppliers; and

� all suppliers are treated equally.

The use of the open and effective competition principle makes it easier to obtain value for money, enables all suppliers to compete for Territory business on an equal basis, reduces the level of (and therefore the administrative costs of dealing with) complaints from suppliers. It also provides accountability to the public, the business community and the Legislative Assembly.

The principle of open and effective competition is to be achieved while maintaining the highest level of cost effectiveness and procedural flexibility, consistent with probity, accountability and transparency of the procurement process, eg decisions on contract awards and maintenance of an audit trail.

3.3.1 Achieving open and effective competition

Open and effective competition is to be achieved by:

� publishing forward procurement plans;

� obtaining an appropriate number of quotations;

� inviting, tenders publicly (generally for purchases in excess of $50,000) eg through 'basis on the net' at www.basis.gov.au;

� publicly displaying the names of tenderers as soon as possible after the tender closure;

� publicising in the ACT Gazette details of purchases; and

� providing appropriate information and feedback to suppliers, particularly those that have been unsuccessful in making an offer.

3.4 Probity and Ethics

Officers involved in purchasing activities are to act with honesty and maintain the highest ethical standards in all business dealings.

The following standards should be observed by all officers involved in the procurement process:

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .