Dr LIM - 2004-02-18
Your government recently awarded a contract worth $374 000 to a South Australian company to supply, guess what? Cigarette papers and matches to the Darwin and Alice Springs correctional centres. Why is it that we cannot buy cigarette papers and matches in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his question. As I explained in my previous answer, all contractual arrangements are handled through the Procurement Review Board, which approve them and tick them off. They are at arm’s length from the minister, and quite rightly so. That is the way it is handled under this government.
In relation to the particular contract, I am not aware of it. If there is any information that can be provided to this Chamber from upstairs in relation to this particular matter …
Dr Lim: Well, you are the Treasurer.
Mr STIRLING: I did not know that I could be accused of not doing my job simply because I am not aware of every contract that is signed by the government on any particular day. However, if there is any information that ought to be more forthcoming in relation to this particular contract, I will ask for it to be sent down and I will respond before the end of Question Time. Notwithstanding that, Madam Speaker, we will see if anything needs to be added.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his question. As I explained in my previous answer, all contractual arrangements are handled through the Procurement Review Board, which approve them and tick them off. They are at arm’s length from the minister, and quite rightly so. That is the way it is handled under this government.
In relation to the particular contract, I am not aware of it. If there is any information that can be provided to this Chamber from upstairs in relation to this particular matter …
Dr Lim: Well, you are the Treasurer.
Mr STIRLING: I did not know that I could be accused of not doing my job simply because I am not aware of every contract that is signed by the government on any particular day. However, if there is any information that ought to be more forthcoming in relation to this particular contract, I will ask for it to be sent down and I will respond before the end of Question Time. Notwithstanding that, Madam Speaker, we will see if anything needs to be added.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016