Rex Patrick (SA, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Finance. In 2015-16, the Commonwealth government spent $57 billion purchasing goods and services. Government procurement is recognised around the world as an important means of implementing government policy in respect of industry development, jobs, innovation and maximising economic growth. The unanimous and bipartisan recommendations of the Joint Select Committee on Government Procurement were carefully drafted to be entirely consistent with Australia's international trade treaty obligations. Why is it that the government has failed to accept them in full, therefore putting the creation of thousands of local jobs, the maximising of local investment and local supply chains at considerable risk?