A Queensland Government procurement overhaul is being touted as putting local, small and family businesses front and centre of the State’s $35 billion annual spend. 

The new Queensland Procurement Policy includes a 30 per cent small and medium enterprise participation target to foster local and regional jobs. 

It also marks the permanent removal of Labor’s Best Practice Industry Conditions (BPIC), after the Crisafulli Government paused them almost a year ago.

“Removing red tape, permanently scrapping BPIC, and focusing on value for money will improve productivity and drive the delivery of better infrastructure and services,” Treasurer David Janetzki said.  

Queensland Major Contractors Association (QMCA) chief executive officer Andrew Chapman welcomed the launch of the new procurement policy and the permanent removal of BPICs.   

“BPICs forced up costs, slashed productivity and made collaboration between contractors and their workforce harder,” Mr Chapman said.  

“Independent analysis for QMCA found they increased project costs by 15-30 per cent.

“The permanent removal of BPICs restores balance and stability to the industry, allowing contractors to work constructively with employees and representatives to deliver projects safely, efficiently, and with better value for taxpayers and results for Queenslanders.”

Master Builders chief executive officer Paul Bidwell said the group applauded the focus on small and regional business under the new procurement policy.

“It’s clear that cutting red tape is central to the policy, including an end to the Ethical Supplier Mandate,” he said.

“We’re also pleased to hear the government is looking at incentivising good performance by building contractors, rather than just punishing poor performance. This is also something we have long advocated for.”