Terms of Reference

The following matter was referred to the Finance and Public Administration References Committee for inquiry and report by the first sitting day in March 2014:

The current ratio of Australian goods and services versus imported goods and services utilised by the Commonwealth through procurement procedures, with particular reference to:

1. (a) the current policies and procedures for procurement in Commonwealth departments and agencies, including:
1. the current effectiveness of procurement policies and procedures,
2. the effectiveness of any policies or procedures designed to preference Australian goods and services, and 
3. the operation of procurement divisions of departments and agencies, including oversight and scrutiny, cost, and requirements relating to transparency and information-sharing; 
2. the current policies and procedures for procurement for major Commonwealth-funded capital projects currently underway or foreshadowed in the budget, including: 
1. the current effectiveness of procurement policies and procedures for these projects, 
2. the effectiveness of any policies designed to preference Australian goods and services, and 
3. the transparency and accountability of project management; 
3. the economic, social and environmental benefits of utilising Australian goods and services; and 
4. any related matters.