The Northern Territory’s first Buy Local Industry Advocate, Mr Denys Stedman, has officially started in his new role.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Trade, Business and Innovation, Sibylle Brautigam, welcomed Mr Stedman to the role and thanked Mr Doug Phillips for being the interim Buy Local Industry Advocate since September last year.

Mr Phillips continues in his role as the independent Chair of the Procurement Review Board.

Ms Brautigam said that Mr Stedman has been appointed to provide an independent advocacy function in relation to buy local procurement matters to Government on behalf of local industry.

“In his 38 years as an NT based Chartered Accountant Mr Stedman has served many clients in a myriad of industries and has an extensive knowledge of the Northern Territory business community,” Ms Brautigam said.

“He was previously partner in charge of KPMG Darwin and has represented many professional bodies over the years.”

“In addition, he has previously served on government bodies including the NT Planning Commission and the Business Advisory Council.”

Mr Stedman said that his role was to ensure businesses were provided full, fair and reasonable opportunities to compete for NT Government contracts.

“The Buy Local Plan is about ensuring the largest possible part of every dollar spent by the NT Government delivers the best possible “Value for Territory” outcome,” Mr Stedman said.

“Supporting and enhancing the capabilities of local business and industry is fundamental to creating value for the Territory.”

“I am a member of the reformed Procurement Review Board and head-up a subcommittee of that board to focus on Buy Local Policies.”

“I will be able to investigate complaints directly from industry and to review the awarding of contracts and the implementation of them.”

Mr Stedman advised that over the coming weeks public and industry briefing sessions will commence, and that he hoped businesses would take the opportunity to attend them to get a clearer understanding of his role and how he can support them in relation to procurement matters with the NT Government.

Anyone wishing to contact the Buy Local Industry Advocate, can call 8999 7799 or email BuyLocal.Advocate@nt.gov.au.

Media contact:

Denys Stedman – 0437 160 211

Sibylle Brautigam – contact Wendy Pritchard on 0418 761 698