Chamber seeking reforms
THE Geelong Chamber of Commerce is hoping the State Government will review its local procurement processes following a meeting with Treasurer Tim Pallas.
Chamber leaders last week pursued a raft of policy reforms and funding priorities for the government. These included pushing for a further cut to the regional payroll tax rate and an increase in the threshold, finalisation of the business case for a Geelong convention centre and scrapping the grand final eve public holiday.
The Chamber also advocated for reforms to simplify, standardise and increase transparency in State Government procurement.
Chief executive Bernadette Uzelac said some chamber members had expressed concern about the lack of local procurement by State Government departments and that some government authorities were using Melbourne-based panels for procuring services.
Ms Uzelac said some local businesses believed they were not being given an opportunity to tender due to existing relationships, or state-based panels that excluded local firms.
“Given that much has been invested in relocating government agencies to Geelong, the Treasurer was going to look into this further,” she said.
Mr Pallas was also told that Geelong chamber members were overwhelming against continuing the grand final eve holiday.
A survey of members found 75 per cent did not support the public holiday, and 64 per cent of members did not open their business on the day