An independent review of Commonwealth procurement calling for “profound” changes has received a tepid response from the Albanese government, which knocked back the key recommendations to make its Future Made in Australia Office independent.
An inquiry set up to examine changes to procurement rules and the impact of the office — currently within the Finance department — heard there had been “no visible increase” in opportunities for SMEs in the $75 billion federal contract market.
The inquiry was also told senior and operational government officials are struggling with an increasingly complex procurement system that they were often under resourced to use effectively, while a risk aversion culture has emerged in Canberra after a series of embarrassing reports and audits.
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