James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

Achieving value for money for Australia taxpayers is the core rule of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules. Similarly, the use of contractors, where appropriate, is an efficient way to keep the overall cost of government administration low when the business need to access relevant skills and expertise is temporary, or the expertise and skills are more efficiently obtained and maintained in the private sector. The Australian government enters into commitments in trade agreements that are aimed at supporting Australian businesses—in particular, to open up new market access opportunities internationally and to put in place a framework of rules and standards that support transparency and competition on a level playing field.

Question agreed to.