UNIONS have been left fuming after a $100,000 Tasmanian government contract was awarded to an interstate firm. The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union labelled the decision disgraceful, claiming it flies in the face of the government's "buy local" policy. Government tender documents show that Victorian company QMIS Trust won a contract to audit large civil construction projects, ahead of three Tasmanian bids. Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Trade Adam Brooks said the government's Local Benefits Test was factored into considerations, but the interstate firm came out on top. "After the assessment process, including the consideration applied under the Local Benefits Test, the successful tenderer represented the best value for money and least risk to the department in achieving its required outcomes," he said. Mr Brooks said the Victorian company indicated a Tasmanian-based auditor would undertake most of the work. But the AMWU's John Short said that was not good enough. "Despite its pre-election promises the government has abandoned very reliable, knowledgeable and skilled Tasmanian companies and their workers," Mr Short said. "There are a lot of struggling Tassie companies in this space who need a leg-up to grow and succeed. "They'll never be able to compete with interstate and international firms on tender bids unless they're given a proper look in," he said. Labor leader Bryan Green argued the government's buy local mantra had been exposed as a sham. "This clearly demonstrates the government's local benefits test isn't worth the paper it's written on," he said. "The Liberals are overlooking Tasmanian companies bidding for government contracts." However, Mr Brooks said since the Liberals claimed office the number of tenders awarded to Tasmanian companies had grown by 5 per cent. "We have never represented that every contract will go to Tasmanian businesses on every occasion," Mr Brooks said. "But what we have promised and delivered is a levelling of the playing field to ensure Tasmanian businesses have more opportunity and the local benefit is taken into account for all government contracts."
UNIONS have been left fuming after a $100,000 Tasmanian government contract was awarded to an interstate firm.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union labelled the decision disgraceful, claiming it flies in the face of the government's "buy local" policy.
Government tender documents show that Victorian company QMIS Trust won a contract to audit large civil construction projects, ahead of three Tasmanian bids.
Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Trade Adam Brooks said the government's Local Benefits Test was factored into considerations, but the interstate firm came out on top.
"After the assessment process, including the consideration applied under the Local Benefits Test, the successful tenderer represented the best value for money and least risk to the department in achieving its required outcomes," he said.
Mr Brooks said the Victorian company indicated a Tasmanian-based auditor would undertake most of the work.
But the AMWU's John Short said that was not good enough.
"Despite its pre-election promises the government has abandoned very reliable, knowledgeable and skilled Tasmanian companies and their workers," Mr Short said.
"There are a lot of struggling Tassie companies in this space who need a leg-up to grow and succeed.
"They'll never be able to compete with interstate and international firms on tender bids unless they're given a proper look in," he said.
Labor leader Bryan Green argued the government's buy local mantra had been exposed as a sham.
"This clearly demonstrates the government's local benefits test isn't worth the paper it's written on," he said.
"The Liberals are overlooking Tasmanian companies bidding for government contracts."
However, Mr Brooks said since the Liberals claimed office the number of tenders awarded to Tasmanian companies had grown by 5 per cent.
"We have never represented that every contract will go to Tasmanian businesses on every occasion," Mr Brooks said.
"But what we have promised and delivered is a levelling of the playing field to ensure Tasmanian businesses have more opportunity and the local benefit is taken into account for all government contracts."
