MEDIA RELEASE
The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) welcomes the sensible recommendations contained in the Joint Select Committee on Government Procurement Report released today.
AFPA Chief Executive Officer Mr Ross Hampton said, “AFPA urges the Government to ‘buy into our future’ and support Australian industry by progressing key Report recommendations.”
“Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs) should include full compliance with Australian Standards and evaluation of whole-of-life environmental sustainability of procurement goods, to ensure the full benefit of Commonwealth procurement flows into the Australian economy.”
“Transparent collection and reporting of procurement data and making sure procurement officers are trained and equipped, will better ensure that Australian industry is not disadvantaged in procurement decisions.” Mr Hampton said.
AFPA is the peak national industry body representing the forest, wood and paper products industry in Australia which supports around 120,000 direct employees along the whole of industry value chain. AFPA recognises our industry’s proud social, economic and environmental record.
AFPA supports competition in global trade where there is a level-playing field including comparable safety and environmental standards. Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of awareness and implementation amongst Government procurement officials of the environmental sustainability advantages and broader socio-economic benefits of locally manufactured wood and paper products.
The Joint Select Committee on Government Procurement was established to review the Commonwealth Procurement Framework, particularly the amended Commonwealth Procurement Rules which came into effect on 1 March 2017. The Report has been presented to Parliament out-of-session and awaits the Government’s response.