MEDIA RELEASE

Report tabled for the Inquiry into the Auditor-General’s Report No. 7 of 2021: Procurement Exemptions and Value for Money

On Wednesday the Standing Committee on Public Accounts tabled its report for its Inquiry into the Auditor-General’s Report No. 7 of 2021: Procurement Exemptions and Value for Money.

The Committee made nine recommendations including that, the ACT Government:

• mandate that every procurement includes value-for-money assessments and a signed declaration of conflict of interest;
• improve and strengthen procurement documentation processes;
• establish assurance schemes across its directorates and implement a system of management action for breaches of the procurement framework;
• ensure that procurements are accurately reported; and
• further guidance is published on the roles of, and relationship between, Procurement ACT and the Government Procurement Board.

The report also recommends that Procurement ACT provide greater direct support to ACT Government entities that procure infrequently.

The Chair of the Committee, Mrs Elizabeth Kikkert said, ‘The Committee endorses all the Auditor‑General’s recommendations.’

‘We also thank those who contributed to the Committee’s inquiry, including the Auditor‑General and staff from the ACT Audit Office, the Special Minister of State, and Procurement ACT.’

The Committee’s report is available on the Assembly’s webpage.

Under the Assembly’s standing orders, the Government is required to respond to committee reports within four months of tabling.

For more information contact:

Committee Chair, Mrs Elizabeth Kikkert MLA on 620 51405

Committee Secretary, Mr Samuel Thompson on 620 50435