The Hodgman majority Liberal Government believes our Tasmanian businesses deserve a fair go when it comes to winning Government contracts to deliver services and projects in our community.
That is why our Buy Local policy changed the procurement rules to be more supportive of local employers and sets a target for 90 per cent of all government contracts to be awarded to Tasmanian-based businesses by 2022.
We are pleased to announce that in the June 2019 quarter we exceeded our target, well ahead of schedule, with 92 per cent of Tasmanian businesses winning open government contracts. This is great news and proves the value of our different approach.
Importantly, over the 2018-19 financial year, the total value of open tenders awarded to Tasmanian businesses reached 90 per cent.
That equates to more than $310 million injected into our local economy, stimulating our businesses, building confidence and creating new jobs for Tasmanians.
To give Tasmanian businesses an even better chance of securing contracts, we increased the local benefits test from 10 per cent to 20 per cent to ensure benefits to the wider community, such as job creation and social benefits are taken into account when decisions are made on awarding contracts.
The test gives Tasmanian businesses an even better chance of securing contracts, while still ensuring healthy competition and value for money for taxpayers and the latest results show our policies are working.
Haven Built is one of Tasmania’s small construction firms benefiting from our Buy Local policy. The Hobart-based business has more than 25 years of experience and recently won a $280,000 contract to upgrade and refurbish the kindergarten at New Town Primary School.
Through supporting our eager businesses, like Haven Built, the Hodgman majority Liberal Government is committed to ensuring more taxpayers’ money stays in Tasmania, contributing to jobs for Tasmanians, and further fueling our economy.