Tasmanian companies missing out on contracts worth millions

It has been revealed that Tasmanian companies are missing out on millions of dollars in lucrative government contracts to interstate businesses.

Labor Leader Bryan Green today accused the Liberal State Government of failing to live up to its promise to support Tasmanian small businesses.

“The Liberals ‘buy local’ promise is just another hollow election slogan,” Mr Green said.

“Rene Hidding was the only Minister willing to admit that the buy local policy had been thrown out the window and that the Government was instead awarding contracts solely on who could deliver the lowest price.

“Government’s rhetoric of supporting local businesses is a joke.

“Last month the Government awarded more than $4 million in contracts to training providers in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and other States.

“Three weeks ago a contract worth more than $330,000 to make jackets and raincoats for Tasmania Police went to a NSW company despite nine Tasmanian businesses tendering for the business.

“Four Tasmanian companies were overlooked by the Government when it gave a $600,000 contract to a Victorian company to build an asset management system for the Parks and Wildlife Service.

“A Victorian company was also awarded a $1.5 million contract for pavement marking and maintenance for roads and a Tasmanian company missed out again.

“It’s likely this is only the tip of the iceberg.

“This makes a mockery of the Liberal’s local benefits test and their promise to give Tasmanian companies a better chance of getting government work.

“It makes a joke of the Government’s so called buy local policy.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader