Tender for public sector broadcasting network (Australia)
CIPS
1 April 2012
Although under a different regulatory regime than applies to EU public contracts, there is rich material for reflection in the problems surrounding the tender for public sector broadcasting services in Australia. Currently held by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the network contract was put to tender and ‘won’ – by recommendation of the Tender Evaluation Board – by a consortium led by Sky News. Post-tender negotiations were subsequently re-opened – and the entire process was finally discontinued, and the contract re-awarded to the ABC. As you might imagine from your own studies in fair, transparent, procedurally-compliant public tendering, the entire process attracted some criticism from the Auditor General…