Trade boost

AUSTRALIAN industry and workers will get a fairer go at winning government and private sector contracts following a $19 million funding boost.

According to Access Economics, $230 billion worth of major investment projects were underway or committed in Australia in June, with another $464 billion on the drawing board.

Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr, says the initiative is about getting people to buy Australian at home and abroad.

“We want to give Australian firms the best chance of getting in the game and the best chance of winning,” says Carr.

The government will require Australian industry participation plans from firms bidding for the Commonwealth’s own major procurements and infrastructure projects.

These plans encourage project proponents to familiarise themselves with Australian industry capabilities, identify qualified local suppliers, and communicate supply opportunities for major projects and procurements.

“This is about improving access and building capabilities. We don’t send our athletes off the Olympics without giving them a solid preparation. The same principle should apply to Australian industry,” says Carr.

Measures to strengthen the framework
• The Industry Capability Network (ICN)
will receive an extra $8.5 million over
four years through the Supplier Access
to Major Projects (SAMP) program to
give companies a better chance of
recuring work. The ICN uses
procurement experts to link Australian
companies to public and private sector
project opportunities in Australia and
overseas.

• Eminent business specialists will be
appointed as Supplier Advocates to
champion Australian industry in the
government marketplace and improve
competitiveness ($8.2 million over four
years).

• Tenderers will be required to submit
Australian industry participation plans
that give local business a fair go at
winning major Commonwealth
contracts and work on Commonwealth-
funded infrastructure projects, including
projects supported by the Building
Australia Fund ($2.5 million over four
years).