22 October 2025

Federal Government Continues to Up the Ante on Buy Local

22 October 2025, Brisbane – Australia: The Government’s small business-friendly procurement changes announced today show it is continuing to push the bureaucracy harder to support local industry, TechnologyOne CEO and MD Ed Chung said today.

“The changes, requiring that only Australian businesses be invited to respond to low value Government contracts, coupled with simplified arrangements for the online Supplier Portal, should make a real difference for small businesses,” he said.

“This latest announcement adds to a series of initiatives in recent years, including introducing a common sense definition of an Australian business and providing clearer guidance to public servants about the broader economic benefits that come from buying Australian,” Mr Chung added.

“On top of this, other work initiated by the Government, most notably the Strategic Examination of R&D, has been calling out the importance of governments buying Australian in securing more investment and research in high tech industries.

“It was clear, however, that the reforms to date had not resulted in changes in behaviour among Government buyers.

“The changes announced today again send a message to the public service that they are expected to back Australia when they are spending taxpayers’ money,” Mr Chung said.

Mr Chung congratulated Finance Minister Senator Katy Gallagher on today’s announcement and looked forward to continuing to advocate for Australian high-tech investment and jobs.

“Real government support has long been the missing puzzle piece for Australian tech industry. We have the people, the great universities and the investors to emulate the Silicon Valley Template.

“Now, we are starting to see that dial being moved as well,” he said.

“We will continue to work with the Government to develop policy to drive change for procurements above the small business threshold, where the red carpet continues to be rolled out for overseas businesses ahead of Australians,” Mr Chung.