Version: 1.2.

2010

South Australia

State Procurement Act 2004

An Act to regulate the procurement operations of public authorities; and for other
purposes.

Contents
Part 1Preliminary
1
3
4
5

Short title
Object of Act
Interpretation
Act not to apply to local government bodies and universities

Part 2State Procurement Board

6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
17

Establishment of Board
Composition of Board
Terms and conditions of membership
Vacancies or defects in appointment of members
Allowances and expenses
Staff of Board
Functions of Board
Committees
Delegations
Board's procedures
Common seal and execution of documents

Part 3Miscellaneous
18
19
20
21
22
23
25

Undertaking or arranging procurement operations for prescribed public authorities and

other bodies
Public authorities bound by directions etc of Board and responsible Minister
Responsibility of principal officers in relation to procurement operations
Ministerial directions to Board
Accounts and audit
Annual report
Regulations

Schedule 1Transitional provisions

Part 4Transitional provisions
4

Transitional provisions relating to Board

Legislative history

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State Procurement Act 20041.2.2010

Part 1Preliminary

The Parliament of South Australia enacts as follows:

Part 1Preliminary
1Short title
This Act may be cited as the State Procurement Act 2004.

3Object of Act
(1)

(2)

The object of this Act is to advance government priorities and objectives by a system
of procurement for public authorities directed towards
(a)

obtaining value in the expenditure of public money; and

(b)

providing for ethical and fair treatment of participants; and

(c)

ensuring probity, accountability and transparency in procurement operations.

The Board and the Minister must, in administering this Act, have regard to and seek to
further the object of this Act.

4Interpretation
In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears
administrative unit means an administrative unit of the Public Service;
Board means the State Procurement Board established under Part 2;
local government body means a council within the meaning of the Local Government
Act 1999 or any body (whether incorporated or unincorporated) established by a
council or councils and declared by the regulations to be a local government body;
prescribed public authority means a person or body that has been declared by the
regulations to be a prescribed public authority for the purposes of this Act;
principal officer, in relation to a public authority, means
(a)

if the authority consists of a single person (including a corporation sole but

not any other body corporate)that person;

(b)

if the authority consists of an unincorporated board or committeethe

presiding officer;

(c)

in any other casethe chief executive officer of the authority or a person

declared by the regulations to be the principal officer of the authority;

procurement operations, in relation to an authority, means

(a)

(b)

the procurement of goods or services required by the authority for its

operations, including (without limitation) the procurement of
(i)

a supply of electricity, gas or any other form of energy; or

(ii)

intellectual property; or

the management of goods of the authority, including (without limitation) the

care, custody, storage, inspection, stocktaking or distribution of goods of the
authority; or

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1.2.2010State Procurement Act 2004

PreliminaryPart 1

(c)

the management of the authority's contracts for services; or

(d)

the disposal of goods surplus to the authority's requirements,

but does not include operations excluded from this definition by the regulations;
public authority means
(a)

an administrative unit or other agency or instrumentality of the Crown; or

(b)

any incorporated or unincorporated body

(i)

established for a public purpose by an Act; or

(ii)

established for a public purpose under an Act (other than an Act

providing for the incorporation of companies or associations, cooperatives, societies or other voluntary organisations); or

(iii) established or subject to control or direction by the Governor, a

Minister of the Crown or any instrumentality or agency of the Crown
(whether or not established by or under an Act or an enactment); or
(c)

a person or body declared by the regulations to be a public authority for the

purposes of this Act,

but does not include a prescribed public authority;

responsible Minister, in relation to an authority, means
(a)

if the authority is an administrative unitthe Minister responsible for that

administrative unit;

(b)

if the authority is a body established by an Actthe Minister responsible for

the administration of that Act;

(c)

if the authority is a body established under an Act (other than the Public
Sector Act 2009, the Public Corporations Act 1993 or an Act providing for
the incorporation of companies or associations, co-operatives, societies or
other voluntary organisations)the Minister responsible for the
administration of that Act;

(d)

if the authority is a subsidiary under the Public Corporations Act 1993 of a

public corporation established by an Actthe Minister responsible for the
administration of that Act;

(e)

if the authority is a subsidiary under the Public Corporations Act 1993 of an

incorporated Ministerthat Minister;

(f)

in any other casethe Minister responsible for that authority.

5Act not to apply to local government bodies and universities

This Act (other than section 18) does not apply in relation to a local government body
or a university.

Part 2State Procurement Board

6Establishment of Board
(1)

The State Procurement Board is established.

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Part 2State Procurement Board

(2)

The Board
(a)

is a body corporate; and

(b)

has perpetual succession and a common seal; and

(c)

is capable of suing and being sued in its corporate name; and

(d)

has all the powers of a natural person that are capable of being exercised by a
body corporate; and

(e)

has the functions and powers assigned or conferred by or under this Act or
any other Act.

(3)

The Board is an agency of the Crown and holds its property on behalf of the Crown.

(4)

If a document appears to bear the common seal of the Board, it will be presumed, in
the absence of proof to the contrary, that the common seal of the Board was duly
affixed to the document.

7Composition of Board
(1)

The Board consists of the following members:

(a)

the presiding member, being the chief executive of the administrative unit
that has, subject to the Minister, responsibility for administering this Act or a
nominee of the chief executive; and

(b)

8 members appointed by the Governor, of whom

(i)

4 must be members or officers of public authorities or prescribed

public authorities; and

(ii)

4 must be persons who are not members or officers of public

authorities or prescribed public authorities.

(2)

The membership of the Board appointed under subsection (1)(b) must include persons
who together have, in the Minister's opinion, practical knowledge of, and experience
or expertise in, procurement, private commerce or industry, industry development,
industrial relations, information technology, risk management, environmental
protection and management, community service and social inclusion.

(3)

At least 1 appointed member of the Board must be a woman and at least 1 must be a
man.

8Terms and conditions of membership

(1)

An appointed member of the Board will be appointed on conditions determined by the

Governor and for a term, not exceeding 2 years, specified in the instrument of
appointment and, at the expiration of a term of appointment, is eligible for
reappointment.

(2)

The Governor may remove an appointed member of the Board from office
(a)

for breach of, or non-compliance with, a condition of appointment; or

(b)

for misconduct; or

(c)

for failure or incapacity to carry out official duties satisfactorily.

This version is not published under the Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002 [15.2.2010]

1.2.2010State Procurement Act 2004

State Procurement BoardPart 2

(3)

(4)

The office of an appointed member of the Board becomes vacant if the member
(a)

dies; or

(b)

completes a term of office and is not reappointed; or

(c)

resigns by written notice to the Minister; or

(d)

in the case of a member appointed under section 7(1)(b)(i)ceases to be a

member or officer of a public authority or prescribed public authority; or

(e)

is removed from office under subsection (2).

On the office of an appointed member of the Board becoming vacant, a person must
be appointed in accordance with this Act to the vacant office.

9Vacancies or defects in appointment of members

An act or proceeding of the Board is not invalid by reason only of a vacancy in its
membership or a defect in the appointment of a member.

10Allowances and expenses

A member of the Board is entitled to allowances and expenses determined by the
Governor.

11Staff of Board
(1)

The Board will have such staff (comprised of persons employed in the Public Service
of the State) as is necessary for the purposes of this Act.

(2)

The Board may, with the approval of the Minister administering an administrative unit
of the Public Service, make use of the officers of that unit.

(3)

The Board may, with the approval of a public authority (being a body corporate),
make use of the officers of that public authority.

12Functions of Board
(1)

The Board has the following functions:

(a)

to facilitate strategic procurement by public authorities by setting the strategic

direction of procurement practices across government;

(b)

to develop, issue and keep under review policies, principles and guidelines
relating to the procurement operations of public authorities;

(c)

to develop, issue and keep under review standards for procurement by public
authorities using electronic procurement systems;

(d)

to give directions relating to the procurement operations of public authorities;

(e)

to investigate and keep under review levels of compliance with the Board's
procurement policies, principles, guidelines, standards and directions;

(f)

to undertake, make arrangements for or otherwise facilitate or support the

procurement operations of public authorities;

(g)

to assist in the development and delivery of training and development courses

and activities relevant to the procurement operations of public authorities;

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State Procurement Act 20041.2.2010

Part 2State Procurement Board

(2)

(h)

to provide advice and make recommendations to responsible Ministers and

principal officers on any matters relevant to the procurement operations of
public authorities;

(i)

to carry out the Board's functions in relation to prescribed public authorities

and any other functions assigned to the Board under this Act.

For the purpose of performing its functions, the Board may

(a)

acquire, hold, deal with and dispose of real and personal property; and

(b)

enter into any kind of contract or arrangement; and

(c)

acquire or incur any other rights or liabilities; and

(d)

direct a public authority to furnish to the Board documents or information

relating to the operations of the authority; and

(e)

exercise such other powers as are conferred on it under this Act or as are
necessary for, or incidental to, the effective performance of its functions.

13Committees
(1)

(2)

The Board may establish committees

(a)

to advise the Board on any matter; or

(b)

to carry out functions on behalf of the Board.

A committee will consist of

(a)

at least one member of the Board; and

(b)

such other persons as the Board thinks fit to appoint.

(3)

The Board will determine who will be the presiding member of a committee.

(4)

The procedures to be observed in relation to the conduct of the business of a

committee will be as determined by the Board.

14Delegations
(1)

The Board may delegate any of its functions or powers under this Act other than this
power of delegation.

(2)

A delegation
(a)

may be made to
(i)

a member of the Board; or

(ii)

a committee established by the Board; or

(iii) a member of the staff of the Board; or

(iv) any other person engaged in the administration of this Act; and

(b)

may be made subject to conditions and limitations specified in the instrument

of delegation; and

(c)

is revocable at will and does not derogate from the power of the delegator to
act in a matter.

This version is not published under the Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002 [15.2.2010]

1.2.2010State Procurement Act 2004

State Procurement BoardPart 2

15Board's procedures
(1)

5 members constitute a quorum of the Board.

(2)

The presiding member will, if present at a meeting of the Board, preside at that
meeting, and in the absence of that member, the members present will decide who is
to preside.

(3)

A decision carried by a majority of the votes cast by members of the Board at a

meeting is a decision of the Board.

(4)

Each member present at a meeting of the Board has one vote on any question arising
for decision and the member presiding at the meeting may exercise a casting vote if
the votes are equal.

(5)

A conference by telephone or other electronic means between the members of the

Board will, for the purposes of this section, be taken to be a meeting of the Board at
which the participating members are present if

(6)

(a)

notice of the conference is given to all members in the manner determined by

the Board for the purpose; and

(b)

each participating member is capable of communicating with every other

participating member during the conference.

A proposed resolution of the Board becomes a valid decision of the Board despite the
fact that it is not voted on at a meeting of the Board if
(a)

notice of the proposed resolution is given to all members of the Board in

accordance with procedures determined by the Board; and

(b)

a majority of the members express concurrence in the proposed resolution by

letter, facsimile transmission, e-mail or other written communication setting
out the terms of the resolution.

(7)

The Board must have accurate minutes kept of its meetings.

(8)

Subject to this Act, the Board may determine its own procedures.

17Common seal and execution of documents

(1)

The common seal of the Board must not be affixed to a document except in pursuance
of a decision of the Board, and the affixing of the seal must be attested by the
signatures of 2 members.

(2)

The Board may, by instrument under its common seal, authorise a member of the
Board or any other person to execute documents on behalf of the Board subject to
conditions and limitations (if any) specified in the instrument of authority.

(3)

Without limiting subsection (2), an authority may be given so as to authorise 2 or

more persons to execute documents jointly on behalf of the Board.

(4)

A document is duly executed by the Board if

(a)

the common seal of the Board is affixed to the document in accordance with
this section; or

(b)

the document is signed on behalf of the Board by a person or persons in

accordance with an authority conferred under this section.

[15.2.2010] This version is not published under the Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002

State Procurement Act 20041.2.2010

Part 3Miscellaneous

Part 3Miscellaneous
18Undertaking or arranging procurement operations for prescribed public
authorities and other bodies
The Board may, with the approval of the Minister, undertake or make arrangements
for procurement operations for
(a)

a prescribed public authority; or

(b)

a body other than a public authority or prescribed public authority.

19Public authorities bound by directions etc of Board and responsible

Minister
(1)

(2)

A public authority (including every member or officer of the authority) is bound to

comply with
(a)

any applicable policies, principles, guidelines, standards or directions issued

or given by the Board; and

(b)

any directions given by the responsible Minister on the advice or

recommendation of the Board.

A prescribed public authority (including every member or officer of the authority) is

bound to comply with any directions given by the responsible Minister on the advice
or recommendation of the Board.

20Responsibility of principal officers in relation to procurement operations

(1)

The principal officer of a public authority is responsible for the efficient and cost
effective management of the procurement operations of the authority subject to and in
accordance with the policies, principles, guidelines, standards and directions of the
Board.

(2)

In subsection (1), a reference to a principal officer includes a reference to a delegate of

the principal officer.

21Ministerial directions to Board

(1)

The Minister may give general directions in writing to the Board about the
performance of its functions.

(2)

A direction may require the Board to take into account a particular government policy
or a particular principle or matter.

(3)

The Minister must, within 6 sitting days of giving a direction, cause a copy of the
direction to be laid before both Houses of Parliament.

(4)

The Board must comply with a direction given by the Minister under this section.

(5)

Except as provided by this section, the Board is not subject to Ministerial control or
direction.

22Accounts and audit

(1)

The Board must keep proper accounting records in relation to its financial affairs, and
must have annual statements of account prepared in respect of each financial year.

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1.2.2010State Procurement Act 2004

MiscellaneousPart 3

(2)

The accounts must be audited at least once in every year by the Auditor-General.

23Annual report
(1)

The Board must, on or before 30 September in each year, deliver to the Minister a
report on the administration of this Act and the work of the Board during the financial
year ending on the preceding 30 June.

(2)

The report must incorporate the audited accounts of the Board for the relevant
financial year.

(3)

The Minister must, within 14 sitting days after receiving a report under this section,
have copies of the report laid before both Houses of Parliament.

25Regulations
The Governor may make such regulations as are contemplated by, or necessary or
expedient for the purposes of, this Act.

Schedule 1Transitional provisions

Part 4Transitional provisions
4Transitional provisions relating to Board
(1)

The State Procurement Board is the same body corporate as the State Supply Board
established under the State Supply Act 1985.

(2)

A reference in an instrument to the State Supply Board is (where the context admits)
to be read as a reference to the State Procurement Board.

(3)

On the commencement of this clause, all members of the Board then in office vacate
their respective offices so that fresh appointments may be made to the Board under
this Act.

(4)

Despite section 14(3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1915, if appointments are to be
made to the Board under that Act prior to the commencement and for the purposes of
section 7, those appointments will take effect on the commencement of section 7 and
not before.

[15.2.2010] This version is not published under the Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002

State Procurement Act 20041.2.2010

Legislative history

Legislative history
Notes

For further information relating to the Act and subordinate legislation made under the
Act see the Index of South Australian Statutes or www.legislation.sa.gov.au.

Legislation repealed by principal Act

The State Procurement Act 2004 repealed the following:
State Supply Act 1985

Legislation amended by principal Act

The State Procurement Act 2004 amended the following:
Gaming Machines Act 1992

Principal Act and amendments

New entries appear in bold.
Year No

Title

Assent

Commencement

2004 28

State Procurement Act 2004

29.7.2004

4.10.2005 (Gazette 15.9.2005 p3343)

2009 84

Statutes Amendment (Public Sector 10.12.2009

Consequential Amendments) Act
2009

Pt 148 (ss 339341)1.2.2010

(Gazette 28.1.2010 p320)

Provisions amended
New entries appear in bold.
Entries that relate to provisions that have been deleted appear in italics.
Provision

How varied

Commencement

Long title

amended under Legislation Revision and

Publication Act 2002

1.2.2010

omitted under Legislation Revision and

Publication Act 2002

1.2.2010

Pt 1
s2
s4
administrative unit amended by 84/2009 s 339(1)

1.2.2010

responsible
Minister

amended by 84/2009 s 339(2)

1.2.2010

deleted by 84/2009 s 340

1.2.2010

deleted by 84/2009 s 341

1.2.2010

Pt 2
s 16
Pt 3
s 24
Sch 1

10

This version is not published under the Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002 [15.2.2010]

1.2.2010State Procurement Act 2004

Legislative history

Pt 13

omitted under Legislation Revision and

Publication Act 2002

1.2.2010

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11