Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Hansard source

I have indicated to the Senate now on numerous occasions that there are templates established to provide initial estimates which are provided to the Commonwealth based on extensive experience of state and territory governments. This project aims to get work out of the door quickly as part of a stimulus arrangement to ensure that work is provided for contractors, builders and workers in a local area, that individual tenders are sought from managing contractors at individual firms and to ensure that there is an opportunity for local workers to be engaged at fair and reasonable prices, to ensure appropriate value for money for the Commonwealth and to protect public expenditures. Quotes or tenders are sought for individual projects. However, the approach varies from region to region within that broad administrative framework. Quotes will include some moneys allocated for contingencies, unforeseen problems with the site and so on and so forth. (Time expired)