Buy Queensland roadshow brings jobs to Bundaberg

The Palaszczuk Government has called on Bundaberg businesses to find out how to tender for government work, with a Buy Queensland procurement strategy roadshow session to be held in Bundaberg this week.

Member for Bundaberg Leanne Donaldson said the Bundaberg session would be held on the 14^th at the Melbourne Hotel.

“When I speak with local business owners here in Bundaberg, they all say the same thing – businesses need security and certainty to be able to employ workers and apprentices, and they don’t get that when local jobs are given away to interstate or overseas competitors,” Ms Donaldson said.

“We’re opening a tender this week to upgrade four fire hydrants at Norville State School, Munduberra State School, Murgon State School and Burnett State School.

“The scope of works will vary across each school, but will include works like installing new fire water connections, fire pumps, pump houses, fire boosters, dedicated fire hydrants mains and fire water storage tanks.

“These projects are subject to local weighting, meaning that businesses in the local area who submit a tender will have priority.

“So I’m calling on local businesses to put a bid in – and if you’re not sure how, the Buy Queensland Roadshow session is the perfect opportunity to find out.

“This is about Bundaberg workers and Bundaberg jobs.”

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said Queensland’s 414,000 small businesses employ 44 per cent of the state’s private workforce.

“The Palaszczuk Government spends more than $14 billion a year on essential goods and services for Queenslanders, and another $4 billion building and maintaining the state’s infrastructure – roads, schools and hospitals,” Mr de Brenni said.

“Buy Queensland will make a real difference to the lives of every Queenslander.

“But that is only a part of the picture. The Buy Queensland strategy will directly benefit the Wide Bay community because it ensures that ‘local’ actually means local,” he said.      

“When the Queensland Government spends taxpayers’ money on a government contract, we want that money to stay in the local community, helping local businesses to grow and supporting employment for local workers and apprentices.

"By harnessing this investment in local business and local communities, we are providing people with the confidence to invest in new equipment and hire more staff.”

Under the Buy Queensland policy, local suppliers will receive a local weighting of up to 30% on any tender lodged for a significant procurement.

The policy will also sets out the following:

• Require at least one local or regional supplier, and one other Queensland based business, to be invited to quote or tender for every procurement opportunity offered;
• For significant infrastructure projects $100 million and above, require the use of local sub-contractors and manufacturers where the local capability and capacity exists;
• Significant projects will be required, where possible, to expend 15% on apprenticeships – up from the current 10%;
• Deliver a more visible pipeline of opportunities for every Queensland business;
• Reduce complexity to assist Queensland industry prepare for government tenders, and provide resources to help them tender;
• Exempt business from the pre-qualification system for building contracts and Information and Communication Technologies projects under $1 million;
• Businesses tendering for government procurement contracts will need to have a permanent workforce in Queensland.  They will need to offer fair wages, conditions and superannuation, and have good workplace health and safety records.

To register for the Bundaberg procurement information session, please visit: www.hpw.qld.gov.au/Procurement/ProcurementStrategy/Events/Pages/default.aspx

For further information on how to become registered for Queensland Government building and construction work, phone 3008 3392 or visit www.qld.gov.au/gov/building-services

The Bundaberg Buy Queensland Procurement Roadshow Session will be held at 8:30am on 14 September 8:30am at the Melbourne Hotel, 68 Targo St, Bundaberg Central.

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Media contact: Tristan Douglas 0447 164 197