1998 CONTRACTS ON SHOW EXHIBITION
The Hon. E. M. OBEID: My question without notice is to the Minister for Public Works and Services. How will businesses in New South Wales benefit from the 1998 Contracts on Show exhibition at Redfern?
The Hon. R. D. DYER: I am grateful to the Hon. E. M. Obeid for his question and I readily acknowledge the interest that he shows in business generally in New South Wales, and particularly as it affects the Department of Public Works and Services. This morning I had the pleasure to officially open the 1998 Contracts on Show exhibition at the Advanced Technology Park, Redfern. The show brings together under one large roof the hundreds of businesses around the State that supply goods or services to the Government. Government Supply is one of the State’s largest markets, employing 10,000 private sector workers and providing $4 billion worth of goods and services a year.
More than 160 companies are formally represented at the exhibition, which provides an opportunity for private and public sectors to promote their products and exchange information. Products and services showcased at the exhibition include office products, health services, motor vehicles, furniture, hardware, information technology and training. The gathering of so many suppliers of government products at the exhibition represents a unique opportunity for business to discover the range of options available under State government
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contracting. The exhibition is supported by a program of seminars over the two days on topics such as innovation in information technology, and electronic commerce.
Over the two days of the exhibition industry representatives will have a chance to meet government buyers face to face to promote their products and negotiate future purchasing requirements. This represents a significant gain for the Government in putting its purchasing officers in direct contact with suppliers. The exhibition is the largest of its kind ever held in Australia and I am extremely pleased with the strong support shown by industry and small and large businesses around the State. The exhibition will run until the close of business tomorrow at the Technology Park in Redfern. I urge honourable members, if they have the time, to pay a brief visit to the park and see for themselves the strength and diversity of government purchasing options in New South Wales.
Before I conclude, I would like to express my regret that the Hon. Dr B. P. V. Pezzutti is absent from question time. We are missing his perceptive and intelligent interjections!