GOVERNMENT STATIONERY CONTRACT

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (14:34): My question is to the Minister for Finance. Following the minister's comments that the tender document in relation to the whole-of-government stationery contract explicitly stated exclusivity, can he explain what is meant by tender document A when it says, 'It can be expected that any final contract will be entered into on a non-exclusive basis'?

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN (Napier—Minister for Finance, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:35): What it means is that we envisage that there would be two successful tenderers so there would be no exclusivity in the final outcome. There would be two successful tenderers, hence non-exclusivity. But beyond those companies that were successful in their tender application, there would be exclusivity.