Parliament Procurement Report says trade deals should not undermine local jobs

June 30, 2017: The Joint Select Committee on Government Procurement has recommended that the Commonwealth Procurement Rules should be clarified and strengthened to encourage Australian suppliers. To ensure this, the Australian Government must not enter into trade agreements which could undermine these benefits to local industry and employment.

Recommendation 8 specifies that in negotiating World Trade Organisation or other trade agreements, the Australian government should not enter into any commitments that undermine its ability to support Australian businesses.

This means that current negotiations for Australia to join the WTO Government Procurement Agreement should not trade off the ability of the Australian government to improve its support for Australian businesses.

The Report also said that procurement officers must be better informed of the exemptions currently available in trade agreements to preference domestic businesses.

The Report reflects the submissions made by AFTINET, unions and local industry groups.