Premier Mark McGowan has welcomed the findings and recommendations contained in the Auditor General’s report into local content in government procurement.
The Auditor General’s Local Content in Government Procurement report found a lack of data collection and reporting processes meant the effectiveness of the Buy Local policy to improve local content outcomes in government procurement could not be determined.
The WA Government has already moved swiftly to address the issues raised by the Auditor General through the Jobs Bill that was introduced into State Parliament earlier this year.
The Bill includes a requirement for a Western Australian Industry Participation Strategy (WAIPS). As part of the development of the WAIPS, local content policies and guidelines are being reviewed.
The Bill places a number of obligations on government agencies in relation to the participation of local industry, including incorporating commitments in supply contracts and reporting on achievement of commitments.
The Government supports the Auditor General’s recommendations, which will be incorporated into the implementation of the Jobs Bill and the WAIPS.