Page 256 - Week 01 - Thursday, 14 February 2019
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reasons, the arts organisations understand the need for confidentiality. In this regard, agreements were executed with those organisations in relation to that matter.
I also know that the Suburban Land Agency met the Kingston and Barton Residents’ Association in November to discuss the progress of the project. It will continue to meet with the residents groups and, of course, work closely with artsACT as the project continues.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, have any of the participating arts organisations expressed doubts about their continued participation in the project, and what is the future for these arts organisations given that they have been on tenterhooks for quite some time?
MR RAMSAY: Madam Speaker, I will take that question. The arts organisations are continuing to be consulted as part of the project. As my ministerial colleague Ms Stephen-Smith has indicated, they are working in good faith as part of that. We are very confident that they will be supportive of the ongoing work on the project.
Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders—procurement policy
MR PETTERSSON: My question is to the Minister for Government Services and Procurement. Minister, you recently announced public consultation on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander procurement policy. What is the government aiming to achieve with this policy?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Mr Pettersson for his question and his ongoing interest in procurement policy, particularly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander procurement policy.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander procurement policy is yet another demonstration of the ACT government’s commitment to supporting the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT. The policy aims to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned and controlled enterprises to compete for ACT government work by removing barriers to their participation in government procurement and recognising the positive outcomes that can be delivered to communities through our expenditure on government goods and services.
The policy ensures that territory entities can identify suitable opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enterprises and organisations in their procurement requirements, and allows territory entities to single-select organisations to tender for contracts valued under $200,000.
The policy would provide for a range of mechanisms in order to deliver on these aims to open up procurement to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and organisations. This includes the certification of an enterprise’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ownership, which would be completed by certifying authorities. The organisation is then listed on the territory’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander supplier list. That would provide opportunities for exemptions to the tender process in
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