The Liberal Government has broken its promise to back local business by awarding $300,000 in consultancies to interstate companies.
On July 7 this year DSG awarded the contracts, two to NSW companies and one to Victoria.
“This is a broken promise. The Liberals promised to apply a `local benefits test’ for Government purchasing yet here they are awarding $300,000 in consultancies to interstate companies,” Shadow Small Business Minister Madeleine Ogilvie said.
“Matthew Groom’s arrogant nonanswer in Question Time proves that this is a broken promise.
“We have superb local service providers here in Tasmania. It is completely unnecessary to be sending this spend to the mainland.
“Our professional services sector demands its fair share of government spend.
“This is a Government that promised to cut back on boards and consultancies.
“It is the height of hypocrisy for the Liberals to be awarding consultancies to interstate companies at a time when public servants are having their wages frozen.
“These contracts were awarded on July 7, well after the election, and under the banner of DSG, which didn’t even exist under the previous government.
“The Liberals need to justify why these tenders went interstate, especially under a Government that promised to cut back on consultancies and support buying local.
“The process isn’t under question, it’s the outcome, which Matthew Groom needs to justify.”
The Liberals’ Plan for Small Business promises:
(The Liberals will be) Introducing a Local Benefits Test for Government purchasing requiring Government to take into account the wider community and social benefits of purchasing decisions to ensure Tasmanian businesses are given a fair go when tendering for State Government contracts;
The awarded tenders can be accessed here: https://www.tenders.tas.gov.au/ContractAwarded/Details/4487
Madeleine Ogilvie MP Shadow Small Business Minister
