Government Procurement Reforms scoop major international awards

The government’s procurement reform programme has been recognised by the international
professional standards body for the procurement profession.

At the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) conference last week in Melbourne,
New Zealand’s Ministry of Economic Development picked up three of eleven Professional
Procurement Awards.

Ministry of Economic Development Chief Executive David Smol welcomed the recognition of
the government’s procurement reform programme.

“This year the first four All-of-Government contracts have been put in place, which are set to
save over $115 million over the next five years,” says Mr Smol.

“Year one of the reform has also delivered a number of important initiatives that make
it easier to do business with government and raise the capability and capacity of the
procurement profession.”

“The reforms are delivering a savings for the taxpayer, and these awards show we are also
meeting world-class professional standards.”

The judges’ comments on the awards won by the Government Procurement Development
Group were:

Best Cross-Functional Teamwork (award shared with Woolworths): “Awarded to
MED for the successful execution of a complex, large scale project with procurement
leadership of a diverse body of stakeholders”. MED worked closely with the Department
of Internal Affairs, who formed part of the cross-functional team on part of this project.

Best People Development Initiative: “MED demonstrated an incredible range of
procurement-led achievements in a very short period of time.”

Most Improved Procurement Operation: “Outstanding example of transformation
of procurement, responding to the skills shortages and developing and implementing
procurement reforms across government.”