Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

Labour will also require state agencies to consider other benefits such as health and
safety systems and training opportunities when comparing tenders.
ICT sector
A strong and vibrant ICT sector is a platform which will help improve New Zealand‟s
economy and society. It is core infrastructure increasingly important to the provision of
quality public services to New Zealanders now and in the future.
Labour believes that smarter government means departments sharing their technology. This
will save money inside government, and provide a competitive advantage for New Zealand
businesses.
Labour will, within 100 days of entering Government, issue an instruction to
government agencies under the Public Finance Act 1989, which will prevent vendors
double-dipping, stop silo thinking and allow systems to join up.
For full information on Labour‟s ICT policy including how Labour will manage government
software purchasing refer to the „Open Software: revolutionising government software
purchasing‟ section of the ICT policy.
Procurement policy
New Zealand firms deserve the right to bid for large government contracts without locking
them out on the basis of lowest price in favour of overseas companies. The benefits of
keeping New Zealanders in work include the fact they pay income tax, GST, contribute to
our skill base and the community as a whole. It shouldn‟t just be about looking at the bottom
line.
We must own our own future by keeping Kiwis in work instead of favouring offshore firms.
Labour is committed to implementing a modern, sustainable, WTO-compliant,
procurement regime.
Labour will require government departments and agencies to undertake a wider
(economic) analysis of the impact of its preferred provider on the domestic economy,
rather than a narrower (financial) analysis when making procurement decisions.
Labour will require government departments and agencies to consider the design,
size, sequencing of contracts to ensure they do not unnecessarily disadvantage Kiwi
firms.
Labour will, in the case of procurement contracts over $50m, require the production
of an Industry Participation Plan (IPP), which sets out how Kiwi companies can play a
bigger role.
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