Page 528 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
instructive to hear the deep insecurities of those opposite about procurement policy and public policy in general. What we have just heard from the shadow minister really speaks volumes about the range of insecurities and clear political concerns that he has in relation to the trade union movement. Of course, he is free to hold those views and to espouse them in this place. I am sure that the people who voted for him would expect nothing less. To a certain extent it is good to see some on the conservative side of politics at least being prepared to enter into the industrial relations debate. It has been a bit of a void, at least at the federal level.
Mr Wall: That sounded like a compliment, as backhanded as it was, Andrew. Thank you.
MR BARR: To a certain extent, Mr Wall, it is. Although you have put various things on Facebook and taken them down later when they have been drawn to your attention, at least you are up-front about your agenda in this place as it relates to organised labour and unions. I think that stands in contrast to some of your colleagues who undoubtedly share your views but are not quite as keen to share them with the general public. So it is good; it is a very good thing that people know there are alternative views on industrial relations and procurement, that you hold those views and that you are prepared to speak up for them in this place.
It is not, however, obviously a view that is shared by the majority of members in the Assembly or, indeed, the majority of Canberrans or Australians. I think it is worthwhile in this debate to look at the opportunities that the territory government has as a significant procurer of goods and services to demonstrate leadership and to ensure through our procurement processes that both commonwealth and territory laws are upheld.
I welcome the acknowledgement from the shadow minister that it is his expectation that the commonwealth laws would be upheld. I think he should also extend his expectation to include territory laws. I am sure he inadvertently left that out rather than suggesting that it would be okay for territory laws to be breached by those who seek to enter into procurement arrangements with the territory.
What the government is recognising is that the purchasing power that we have can set standards, improve standards, and can lead to delivery of an even higher quality of goods and services for the people of the ACT. Through the range of issues that Ms Cody has highlighted in her presentation and that other speakers have referred to, that purchasing power can lead to a better outcome not only for those who are undertaking work on behalf of the people of Canberra but also for Canberrans more broadly.
However, I want to spend a moment responding to one element of Mr Wall’s commentary as it related to the weighting of local business in the procurement process. I would remind him—again, I am sure he overlooked this—that there are elements of the Australian Constitution around restraint of trade between states and territories and, indeed, a multitude of preferential trade agreements that our federal government has signed with other countries that have very clear requirements in relation to government procurement.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video