The McGowan Government is seeking feedback from local businesses and government agencies into the outcomes and effectiveness of the Western Australian Jobs Act (2017) as part of the five-year review of the legislation.
The WA Jobs Act review is set to cover a range of topics including the effectiveness of the Act, the main achievements, recommendations for improvements and analysis of how the Act interfaced with other State Government policies.
Dr Michael Schaper, previous Deputy Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, has been appointed to conduct the independent review into the Act.
First initiated in 2017, the WA Jobs Act was established to ensure that State Government procurement and purchasing policies supported local industry participation.
Since full implementation in October 2018, it is estimated that the WA Jobs Act, the WA Industry Participation Strategy and associated activities have supported the creation of more than 64,000 jobs and 4,500 apprenticeships and traineeships in WA.
It is also estimated that the Act has covered $32 billion of Government expenditure on goods, services and works. Of this expenditure, 92 per cent has been spent within WA.
Improvements to the WA Jobs Act aim to ensure that State Government procurement and purchasing policies continue to support the retention or creation of new jobs, especially for Western Australian small and medium enterprises
Public consultation will take place throughout September and October, with the review to be completed before the end of 2022.
For more information about the review and opportunities to engage, visit https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-jobs-tourism-science-and-innovation/review-of-western-australian-jobs-act-2017
As stated by State Development, Jobs and Trade Minister Roger Cook:
"The Western Australian, national and global economies have changed significantly since the WA Jobs Act was introduced and now is the right time to review the Act to improve its effectiveness.
"Western Australia is now in an era of changing trends and new developments, many of which are likely to have an impact on procurement and local job generation.
"The independent review is vital to ensure the legislation remains contemporary and well suited to deliver even more jobs for local workers in the future.
"The WA Jobs Act and WA Industry Participation Strategy has contributed to 64,000 jobs being created in the past four years and 4,500 apprenticeships and traineeships across the State."
