❓ Hon Rod Caddies questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food regarding the awarding of cleaning contracts for regional DPIRD offices to a Perth-based company instead of local regional providers. The Minister's response indicates that many contracts are with local providers and procurement follows established guidelines.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development—Cleaning contracts63.Hon Rod Caddiesto theMinister for Agriculture and Food:I refer to the cleaning contracts for regional Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) offices across Western Australia.(1) Can the minister confirm that the cleaning contract for these vital regional DPIRD offices, which serve and support farming families, agricultural businesses and remote communities right across Western Australia, has been awarded to a Perth-based company rather than a local regional provider?(2)If yes to (1), can the minister please explain to the people of regional WA why DPIRD, a departmentwhose very name includes "regional development", is choosing to bypass hardworking local cleaners and small businesses in our country towns?(3)How exactly does awarding these contracts to a metropolitan Perth company support struggling regional communities, keep money circulating in country WA or honour the government's repeated commitments to back and invest in regional Western Australia?The President:Far be it for me to mention standing order 105. The Minister for Agriculture and Food.

Hon Jackie Jarvis replied:I thank the member for some notice of the question.The question was forwarded to the Minister for Regional Development. He is the lead minister for the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. However, I am, obviously, answering on behalf of the Minister for Regional Development.(1)–(3) DPIRD has 20 cleaning contracts with regional offices, delivered by businesses located across Western Australia. Cleaning services in Broome, Carnarvon, Albany and Katanning are all delivered by local providers. Purchasing of goods and services by DPIRD is governed by theProcurement Act 2020, the Western Australian Procurement Rules, and related policies and guidelines issued by the Department of Treasury and Finance. The criteria used in the contract evaluation process includes demonstrated experience of providing services to similar or equivalent type properties; organisational capacity to manage the contract staff and performance; and a value-for-money assessment. DPIRD actively targets Aboriginal businesses, disability enterprises and local regional businesses. In circumstances where a Perth-based cleaning company is contracted, regionally based staff are employed to carry out the contract requirements.The President:Good attempt at trying to keep within standing order 106. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development—Cleaning contracts