Labor purchasing plan will give big boost to disability businesses and workers

• Labor Government will work toward a minimum two per cent goods and services buy from Australian Disability Enterprises
• Liberals have no target to support ADEs
• Important investment will provide jobs and training opportunities
A majority Labor Government will provide a jobs and training boost for Tasmanians with a disability by setting a minimum target to purchase goods and services from local Australian Disability Enterprises.
Shadow Disability Minister Josh Willie said a Labor Government will work towards spending at least two per cent of its supplies and consumables budget with Tasmanian ADEs to provide them with more business opportunities and the chance to offer more training to Tasmanians with a disability.
“ADEs across the state already provide broad opportunities to Tasmanians with a disability across a range of industries including packaging, assembly, production, recycling, screen printing, cleaning services and nursery and landscaping services,” Mr Willie said.
“They offer disabled Tasmanians the chance for inclusion and the opportunity to contribute to their community.
“But ADEs face an uncertain future with changes foreshadowed to the Federal Government’s wage calculation tool, which could have a dramatic impact on the future viability of the disability sector.
“Now is the time to be supporting these important businesses and a Labor Government will use its purchasing power to underpin their sustainability and growth as well as their ability to invest in employees and training programs.
“In the last financial year, the Hodgman Government spent $1,105 million on supplies and consumables but there is no available information on how much of that funding went to ADEs.
“Already government agencies have the option of streamlining their procurement systems to purchase directly from approved ADEs without needing to undertake a full quote or tender process but Labor will set a target of two per cent of that expenditure.
“By establishing this minimum spending target for government departments, Labor will support the long term growth of ADEs and help the sector with the short term challenges it currently faces.”
Mr Willie said under Labor’s policy value for money will be assured as existing Treasury procurement principles will still need to be adhered to and ADEs which are contracted by the government will continue to be required to comply with appropriate employment and disability standards.
He said the initiative will be phased in over time, giving ADEs the time they need to diversify and expand and also provide opportunities for any new start up ADEs to establish.
Josh Willie MLC Shadow Disability Minister