| The Hon Lindsay Tanner MP Minister for Finance and Deregulation |
Chris Bowen MP Minister for Human Services |
83/2009
2 December 2009
Minister for Human Services, Chris Bowen MP, and Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Lindsay Tanner MP, have today announced a groundbreaking $220 million Australian Government procurement program for Commonwealth printing needs will deliver better value to Australian taxpayers.
The Design, Production and Distribution Tender program will enable 12 Government agencies to access printing services from 176 approved businesses without having to go through their own tender process.
“This five-year plan streamlines the way Government engages with the Australian printing industry, reducing the administrative burden on both Government and industry,” Mr Bowen said.
“It will save millions of dollars and many hours of paperwork through reduced administrative costs and less red tape for businesses.”
The print procurement project is just one example of the savings being made due to the Rudd Government’s reforms to procurement, Mr Tanner said.
“The Government awards contracts totalling about $30 billion a year to procure goods and services. A number of those goods and services are bought by most or all agencies and yet under existing arrangements the purchase of those items is not coordinated across Government,” Mr Tanner said.
“Our new Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines facilitate a coordinated approach to procurement that will make sure Australian taxpayers get the best value for money.”
As a major user of print services with extensive experience and expertise, Centrelink was chosen to lead the consultation process, working with other Government agencies and the printing industry to devise a smart solution to the Government’s current and future printing needs.
The Design, Production and Distribution Tender program has been structured to meet the requirements of all participating agencies on an opt-in basis and there is scope for more Government agencies to use the program in future.
The printing requirements of the following 12 Government agencies will be met by the Design, Production and Distribution Tender:
The Design, Production and Distribution Tender encompasses the following services:
| Media Contact: | Website: |
|---|---|
| Minister Tanner's Office - Nardia Dazkiw - 0418 144 690 | www.financeminister.gov.au |
| Minister Bowen's Office - Laura Stevens - 0432 833 76 |
