Mr BURKE - 2000-10-19
Mr BURKE (Attorney-General): Mr Speaker, I have some additional information with regards to the question from the member for Barkly with regards to the Domestic Violence Legal Services.
During 1999-2000, Domestic Violence Legal Services were provided by Domestic Violence Legal Help in Darwin and Domestic Violence Service in Alice Springs. Following the advice of consultants it was agreed that the Domestic Violence Legal Services would be provided more efficiently by way of a contractual arrangement that clearly specified the expected outputs and outcomes. This is recognised both nationally and internationally as the best practice model for government service deliveries.
Advertisements seeking tenders were placed in Territory newspapers on 20 May this year; tenders closed on 12 June. Three tenders, I understand, were received in relation to the Darwin service. None of the tenders complied with the requirements of the tender specification particularly in relation to the budget.
There was a preferred tenderer, Top End Women’s Legal Services, and the government tried to negotiate a price with that service that was closer to the budget allocation. Top End Women’s Legal Services refused to budge from the amount that they had tendered and further declined to discuss the matter with government.
After that preferred tenderer had refused to continue negotiations with Withnall & Maley, whose submission did comply with the specification, it was awarded the contract, with Withnall & Maley commencing to provide the service at 1 July 2000 in Darwin.
During 1999-2000, Domestic Violence Legal Services were provided by Domestic Violence Legal Help in Darwin and Domestic Violence Service in Alice Springs. Following the advice of consultants it was agreed that the Domestic Violence Legal Services would be provided more efficiently by way of a contractual arrangement that clearly specified the expected outputs and outcomes. This is recognised both nationally and internationally as the best practice model for government service deliveries.
Advertisements seeking tenders were placed in Territory newspapers on 20 May this year; tenders closed on 12 June. Three tenders, I understand, were received in relation to the Darwin service. None of the tenders complied with the requirements of the tender specification particularly in relation to the budget.
There was a preferred tenderer, Top End Women’s Legal Services, and the government tried to negotiate a price with that service that was closer to the budget allocation. Top End Women’s Legal Services refused to budge from the amount that they had tendered and further declined to discuss the matter with government.
After that preferred tenderer had refused to continue negotiations with Withnall & Maley, whose submission did comply with the specification, it was awarded the contract, with Withnall & Maley commencing to provide the service at 1 July 2000 in Darwin.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016