Minister Wingard seeks Industry Advocate’s support
Recently Minister Wingard visited the Yorke Peninsula to discuss changes to the Across Government Facilities Management Arrangements (AGFMA), meeting with local business owners and tradies to discuss the proposed changes.
Following his trip the Minister met with the Industry Advocate, Ian Nightingale to pass on the feedback he had received. The Minister acknowledged the Industry Advocate will play an integral role during the consultation phase to ensure the new arrangement strikes a fair and reasonable balance for local trades, small and medium sized businesses and the State Government.
A statement from Minister Wingard in the Yorke Peninsula Country Times was “as a government, we’re committed to getting this arrangement right. We will ensure local jobs and business are supported through this reform and that government facilities are maintained to a safe and acceptable standard.”
The Industry Advocate Act 2017 establishes certain functions and power for the Industry Advocate relevant to the AGFMA reform and this includes requirements for agencies to engage with the Advocate prior to the award of the contract to ensure all aspects of the South Australia Industry Participation Policy (SAIPP) have been followed appropriately.
In conjunction with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, the Office of the Industry Advocate will develop a Tailored Industry Participation Plan which will have a particular emphasis on the opportunities for regional businesses from the Across Government Facilities Management Arrangements contract.
To ensure as many local and regional businesses have an opportunity to sub-contract to the potential facilities management provider the Department for Infrastructure and Transport have released a registration of interest page for businesses. The intention is that the registered business details will then be provided to the successful facilities management provider. Click here to register your interest.
