Inquiry into the procurement practices of government agencies in NSW

On 11 October 2023, the New South Wales Government Standing Committee commenced its inquiry into the procurement practices of government agencies in New South Wales and its impact on the social development of the people of New South Wales.

On Friday 19th January 2024, SECNA lodged a submission to the inquiry. The submission, aligned with the inquiry key terms of reference, offered:

• An overview of social procurement as a growing opportunity to create social value and impact social development 

• Feedback into the current state and effectiveness of procurement by NSW government agencies drawn from the experiences and challenges faced by social enterprises, and

• Practical recommendations for procurement processes to strengthen the positive impact on the social development of the people of NSW.

SECNA thanks all of its members who contributed to the development of the submission through sharing their insights and experiences.

Value for money in procurement is about more than the dollar value of a contract. 

Government bodies all around the world are seeing the value of social enterprises, which offer competitive goods and services while having a positive impact on people and the planet. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in particular has laid out recommendations for governments that the NSW government can use to create frameworks and practices that deliver a greater return on investment for the people of NSW. These recommendations on social procurement plus our recommendations on a social enterprise strategy, collaborative tendering and greater transparency and accountability, will all lead to a better future for the people of NSW.

SECNA looks forward to following the progress of this inquiry and to working with the government to create that better future.

Read SECNA’s submission here.