Consultants and Contractors

In reply to Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (24 November 2020). (Estimates Committee A)

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Minister for Environment and Water): I have been advised that for the Department for Environment and Water:

A consultant is an individual or organisation who is engaged for a limited period of time to carry out a defined task and to provide expert specialist or management advice that is not readily or usually available within the public sector. This includes developing specialised plans, strategies and recommendations for the agency to consider. The engagement of consultancies is undertaken in accordance with State Procurement Board and across-government procurement policies. In addition, consultancy procurement processes must be approved by a minimum director-level officer in accordance with Premier and Cabinet Circular 043.

Details of consultancies above $10,000 between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020 are as follows:

A contractor (or temporary agency staff) performs 'routine' tasks that are supervised by agency employees. These tasks generally would not differ materially from those of employees working in the same area. The engagement of temporary agency staff is undertaken in accordance with the Government's Preferred supplier contracts for clerical, information technology and financial services staff. In accordance with government policy, DEW also reviews the availability of suitable surplus staff prior to engaging temporary agency staff.Details of contractors (temporary agency staff) above $10,000 between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020 are as follows: