Questions without notice and ministers statements
Government procurement policy
Mr WALSH (Murray Plains) (14:01): My question is to the Minister for Health. When masks were in short supply, Shepparton-based manufacturer Med-Con dramatically scaled up their production from 2 million to 6 million masks with the encouragement of the Andrews Labor government. Why has the government abandoned purchasing masks from Med-Con, costing 125 of 150 local jobs in Shepparton, in favour of cheap imports from China?
Mr FOLEY (Albert Park—Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services, Minister for Equality) (14:01): Can I thank the Leader of The Nationals for his question. Can I say what an outstanding job that Shepparton provider, Med-Con, does and can I also thank the member for Shepparton for taking that company’s efforts up on behalf of that company and its workforce. On the basis of representations made by the member for Shepparton I have asked my department and the health agencies—including those engaged with the commonwealth—as to how this important local manufacturing capacity can be both supported and extended by Victorian government and indeed national government purchasing when it comes to PPE and other arrangements, and I look forward to that matter being resolved in the very near future.
Members interjecting.
Mr WALSH (Murray Plains) (14:02): Easy, easy! Documents from Health Purchasing Victoria reveal that the government has no plan to prioritise local manufacturing, stating ‘This is not within the scope of the aims of this activity. We are solely seeking pricing based on supply chain efficiencies’. Why is the government sourcing masks from China, making Victoria reliant on overseas supplies of PPE?
Ms Allan interjected.
Mr WALSH: Well, let us wait and see what the facts are as to whether it really happens.
The SPEAKER: Order! Through the Chair. The Leader of The Nationals and the Leader of the House!
Mr FOLEY (Albert Park—Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services, Minister for Equality) (14:03): Can I thank the Leader of The Nationals for his supplementary question. In regard to what the honourable Leader of The Nationals asserts about the Victorian government purchasing policy, particularly when it comes to PPE and other equipment dealing with our health services, yes, efficiency is a part of the equation, and yes, access to local support is also part of the equation. I am confident that the processes that I have asked my department to put in place will balance all of those necessary factors in their decision-making and in their purchasing policy, as is in fact part of Victorian government purchasing policy more broadly to support local innovation, particularly when it comes to PPE and related equipment, in the way that the honourable member has foreshadowed.