South Australian Tourism Commission

In reply to the Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (29 May 2018).

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment): I have been advised:

The Creative Services Acquisition Plan (the first step in the procurement approval process) was approved by SATC Accredited Purchasing Unit, which provides governance oversight of all significant procurements within the SATC, on 30 October 2017.

The acquisition plan was then submitted to, and approved by, the State Procurement Board on 13 November 2017. At this time authority to approve the purchase recommendation (the document which recommends the appointment of the preferred supplier or suppliers) was delegated to SATC by the State Procurement Board.

Following completion of evaluation processes the purchase recommendation was approved by SATC Accredited Purchasing Unit 20 April 2018.

My office was advised it is not the role of a minister to approve the commencement of, or results of, procurement processes. These approvals occur under the State Procurement Board's delegated authority.

Once the procurement process, is completed, contract negotiation commences with the preferred party to finalise the contract.

With regard to the execution of the contract, Treasurer's Instruction 8 applies. This means that if the value of the contract exceeds $1.5 million, the chief executive needs to seek my approval to execute the contract, provided that the SATC board has noted that such a contract is being entered into. This has not occurred at this time.

As an independent statutory authority, the SATC executes contracts in its own name, not in the name of the Minister for Tourism. Accordingly, I have no role in contract execution.