BORBIDGE UNVEILS

Premier Rob Borbidge has committed a re-elected Coalition Government to put "Queensland First" under the National Competition Policy (NCP).

In his major policy speech today, the Premier said all State Government contracts would be subject to a Queensland Benefits Test, designed to create and save Queensland jobs.

The Premier also said the Coalition would act to protect pharmacists and the dairy industry from the onset of NCP.

Under the Queensland First policy a "Queensland Benefits Test" would be incorporated into the selection criteria for all State Government contracts and would take into account:

* value-for-money benefits of having a local supplier; * Queensland Head Office or substantial presence in Queensland, * including manufacturing operations; * local employment levels; and * utilisation of Queensland-based suppliers of goods and services.

Mr Borbidge said the State Government's purchasing policy must recognise and reward the contribution of Queensland companies to the State economy at both regional and state level.

"That is not to say that a Queensland firm can necessarily be assured of winning a contract simply by being a Queensland firm," he said.

"But for too long small Queensland businesses have been losing contracts to large interstate firms by small amounts.

"We must recognise that money circulating around our state strengthens economic growth and creates more jobs in Queensland."

Mr Borbidge said the policy was not designed to undermine the National Competition Policy but recognised that there had to be some flexibility for the states.

For further information please contact Greg Jackson, Director Government Media Unit on (07) 3225 8866; Mobile 0419.713 246