QUEENSLAND is reckless in its Buy Queensland policy in which it places a 30 per cent weighting on any tender lodged for a significant government procurement, says Trade Minister Steven Ciobo.
The state government policy is aimed at backing and pushing local business but Mr Ciobo said it was dangerous and could harm rather than help businesses.
He said the work of a Queensland-based company like Flight Centre – which had a contract to supply travel services to the NZ government – could be impacted if retribution was sought by NZ.
“And there are none more dangerous (about the policy) than Mick de Brenni,” Mr Ciobo said. “He has said he doesn’t give a toss about this.”
Mr de Brenni, the Housing Minister, said in a brochure to his Springwood constituents that he “couldn’t give a toss” that Queensland was breaking federal government trade agreements.
Mr Ciobo said the policy effectively meant Queensland was playing Russian roulette with Queensland’s $70 billion annual exports.
Mr de Brenni said Mr Ciobo knew that the government’s Buy Queensland purchasing policy had nothing to do with export agreements.
“It’s a shame that he is running such a hysterical campaign against Queensland jobs,” Mr de Brenni said.
“Perhaps he’s trying to hide the fact that, in parliament, (opposition leader) Tim Nicholls and the LNP actually voted against this policy to back Queensland jobs.”
Mr de Brenni said the policy was about making sure that when Queensland invested taxpayer money, local communities got the best possible value.
“That means supporting as many local contractors and suppliers as possible,” he said. “Labor believes the taxes paid by Queenslanders should be spent in Queensland, not overseas. The LNP disagrees. It’s as stark and simple as that.
“...I have spoken to hundreds of small businesses about our Buy Queensland policy and they know that it make sense. It’s why the Chamber of Commerce and industry has described it as an “absolute shot in the arm for small business.”
Bowman MP Andrew Laming said the policy could jeopardise plans by Mount Cotton’s Sirromet Winery to push into the US market.
Asked if it was not fair that the state government was trying to do its best by small business, Mr Ciobo said Queensland could not have its cake and eat it too.
He said Queensland’s action could put at risk Queensland exports like beef and jobs and it was naive to think otherwise.
Opposition leader Tim Nicholls launched his own buy local procurement policy on the weekend.
He said it was not a copy of Labor’s policy and was vastly different to that introduced by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on September 1.
