In a small, non-descript space at the back of one of Darwin’s oldest commercial blocks is the office of the Territory’s newest independent business advocate.

The surroundings are simple but there’s nothing simple about the job the Territory Procurement Champion is undertaking. 

Tom Harris’ role is to educate NT businesses about getting the best out of the government procurement process. It’s about investigating what currently works and what could be improved. And it’s about handling industry complaints about the government procurement processes. 

The role is one Tom relishes. 

“I’m really excited about the opportunity,” he said. 

“There’s a significant business engine room across the Territory and I’ve always been passionate about using it better. 

“The NT Government procures $1.5 billion worth of goods and services on average a year. If we can get that going round the economy about three times, you can boost that up to $4.5 billion, which is a significant impact. 

“Then all of a sudden, we start activating. We start growing. 

“You get more people coming to the Territory because you can take on an extra person, they’ve got kids at school, people are using services, you start getting more people at the shops. 

“That’s the bit I’m passionate about.” 

Tom’s family are multi-generational Territorians. His great grandfather came through the Territory in the late 1890s. His grandmother Heather Harris (nee Bell) was born in Darwin in 1908. 

Tom has a long and distinguished career. 

He started in hospitality, moved into banking and finance, water and mineral drilling and then into civil construction. He was most recently, the CEO of the Civil Contractors Federation. All of which have given him a strong understanding of contracts and procurement processes. 

He took on the independent Territory Procurement Champion role on 1 November last year, hitting the ground running and visiting nearly 20 businesses and a handful of government department CEOs within the first three weeks of starting. 

He said the feedback from his engagement with businesses had highlighted three key themes: businesses want clearer visibility around when work is coming into the marketplace; surety that once tenders are awarded, there’s follow through and delays are minimised; a tightening of the definition of a local business. 

“The definition of a Territory enterprise is fairly broad,” he said. 

“If you have a significant presence and operate in the NT as well as employ Territorians, you’re a Territory business”. 

“It is important that each of the agencies procuring goods and services ensure where possible, that each procurement activity delivers growth and development opportunities throughout the supply chain and not just be satisfied that a Territory enterprise has won the tender”. 

Tom said his remit is broad and he is willing to look at all suggestions or concerns raised with him. His role does not include auditing the NT Government procurement process, which remains with the agencies and the Auditor-General. 

Tom will be based in Darwin but will travel to all Territory regions during his two-year tenure. Businesses are equally welcome to contact Tom directly. 

Establishing the Territory Procurement Champion position, is part of a suite of procurement reforms transforming how the NT Government purchases goods and services. The reforms are designed to cut red tape, increase local opportunities, and make doing business with government more effective. TQ 

CONTACT 

Territory Procurement Champion 

Tom Harris 

procurement.champion@nt.gov.au