Dr LIM - 2006-08-23
Further to the question on procurement, according to the Attorney-General’s report, page 27, one particular contract was miscalculated by government by 3500%. Simply expressed, if the contract was worth $1000, the bill turned out to be $35 000, however, we know that the final bill was in the millions. Minister, this is happening on your watch. How on earth could you have your eye so far off the ball? Or, is it the case that grand projects like the waterfront have completely blinded you to your responsibilities?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I would …
Dr Lim: Page 27.
Dr BURNS: Yes, I have page 27, member for Greatorex.
Dr Lim: Good.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: The Auditor-General does point to one case of an over-estimation; that is true. I believe, generally, the procurement processes are accurate and efficient. This government has implemented a …
Mr Stirling: Never made a mistake in his life, this bloke! Never made an error in his life.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: Well, it could well be an error. There are many contracts out there. As I said before, this economy is turbocharged. There is a lot of work. There has been record capital works expenditure over the past four years, and even more so after the middle schools announcement. An extra $20m worth of cash has been added to our capital works expenditure.
There may well be an error; I will certainly look into that. For the member for Greatorex to assert that there are global errors right across our procurement process - I reject that.
Dr Lim: First paragraph, page 27.
Dr BURNS: You can selectively quote from the Auditor-General’s report. I will certainly be asking the department about the comments within the Auditor-General’s report. If necessary, I will meet with the Auditor-General and discuss this matter with him. It may also be an issue that the Public Accounts Committee may well want to take up because, unlike the previous government, our Public Accounts Committee is a very active committee, which looks into all aspects of the government accounts.
Madam Speaker, we have nothing to hide. There are record expenditures out there, business is booming. The only ones complaining are the opposition.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I would …
Dr Lim: Page 27.
Dr BURNS: Yes, I have page 27, member for Greatorex.
Dr Lim: Good.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: The Auditor-General does point to one case of an over-estimation; that is true. I believe, generally, the procurement processes are accurate and efficient. This government has implemented a …
Mr Stirling: Never made a mistake in his life, this bloke! Never made an error in his life.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: Well, it could well be an error. There are many contracts out there. As I said before, this economy is turbocharged. There is a lot of work. There has been record capital works expenditure over the past four years, and even more so after the middle schools announcement. An extra $20m worth of cash has been added to our capital works expenditure.
There may well be an error; I will certainly look into that. For the member for Greatorex to assert that there are global errors right across our procurement process - I reject that.
Dr Lim: First paragraph, page 27.
Dr BURNS: You can selectively quote from the Auditor-General’s report. I will certainly be asking the department about the comments within the Auditor-General’s report. If necessary, I will meet with the Auditor-General and discuss this matter with him. It may also be an issue that the Public Accounts Committee may well want to take up because, unlike the previous government, our Public Accounts Committee is a very active committee, which looks into all aspects of the government accounts.
Madam Speaker, we have nothing to hide. There are record expenditures out there, business is booming. The only ones complaining are the opposition.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016