Open Contracting-What you had to say
Further in the series- Issues raised in Submissions on Draft National Action Plan
Submissions suggest more ambition needed- it more than ‘reviewing’ whether we comply with the standard.
From the PM&C round up:
Stephen Gates Individual
The adoption of the Open Contracting Data Standard is a good first step in publishing data using an open standard.
Marie Lintzer OGP Natural Resources Working Group (Natural Resource Governance Institute)
Australia could improve this commitment by making a reference to applying the open contracting principles to the granting of natural resource rights.
Carole Excell OGP Natural Resources Working Group (World Resources Institute)
There is a collective action commitment which could improve this commitment: “We will publish the contracts, licenses or leases including associated geo-spatial data which detail the agreements made between companies and the government on natural resource and land projects and the sales of commodities, and to improving the transparency of processes through which those agreements are made in line with open contracting principles. We will also publish information and assessments on the potential social and environmental impacts of these projects, and improving accountability and participation in their environmental management.”
Jose Marin OGP Anti-Corruption Working Group
Can be strengthened by committing to complying with the OCDS, at least in a focalised and phased approach, e.g., by having agencies incorporate the data standards to their procurement process.
Karen Burgess The BubbleGum Club
Disability funding moving from services and to people with a disability and their families needs better transparency.
Rosie Williams Individual
A more ambitious Commitment would be to implement the Open Contracting Standard across both tenders and grants reporting and ensure ABN/ACN as well as
government programme is included in both datasets.
Disclosure thresholds on all financial datasets ought to be removed, removing the opportunity for political donations, grants or tenders to be excluded from accountability.
Kat Szuminska OpenAustralia Foundation
Suggest: “We will make Australian Government publishing of tender contracts compliant with the Open Contracting Data Standard”
Ben Minerds Individual
Review of OCDS compliance in May 2017 is promising but I am concerned that outreach to the community for feedback should be vigorous and intentioned. I feel that the review should include metrics which will be comparable to measures taken in August and through the life of the program such as the percentage of councils/states at 3 star or better compliance.
Federal government should lead the way by setting a timeframe for 5 star compliance with the OCDS standard.
Natasha Molt Law Council of Australia
The Law Council supports the proposed review of compliance with the Open Contracting Data Standard and the Commitment to implement any measures needed to improve compliance with the Standard after the review has been undertaken.
Robyn Cochrane
The $10,000 threshold value for reporting government entity procurement contract may be worth re-considering, particularly if this reporting mechanism is not automated.