Consultancies

During 2012–13, the AEC’s new consultancy contracts involved total actual expenditure of $1 069 989. There were 24 new consultancies, with a value of $10 000 or more, let during 2012–13. This was almost double the total actual expenditure on consultancy contracts in 2011–12, of $537 982. Preparations for the 2013 federal election was responsible for the increase in consultancy contracts.

There were no ongoing consultancy contracts or related ongoing expenditure.

The AEC engaged consultants for the following purposes:

• accounting services
• internal audits
• public relations
• management advisory services
• feasibility studies or screening of project ideas
• education and training services
• business intelligence consulting services
• human resources services
• economic or financial evaluation of projects.

Table 19 details consultancy contracts let to the value of $10 000 or more. Further information on the value of AEC contracts and consultancies is on AusTender.

Consultancy policy

The AEC may engage consultants under s.35(2) of the Electoral Act, and may determine the terms and conditions of engagement of those consultants under s.35(4) of that Act. Engagement of consultants may also be in accordance with the FMA Act.

The AEC also considers whether:

• the services involve the development of an intellectual output that assists with agency decision making
• the output reflects the independent views of the service provider.

If the answer to both questions is ‘yes’ the arrangement is categorised as a consultancy.

When engaging consultants for work with a value up to $79 999, the AEC generally seeks quotes from prospective consultants according to the AEC policy and procedures for procurement.

If the expected value of the consultancy is $80 000 or more, AEC staff follow the policy and procedures in the Department of Finance and Deregulation’s Guidance on the Mandatory Procurement Procedures - January 2005 (Financial Management Guidance No. 13). Senior management engage consultants in accordance with the AEC Financial Delegations Schedule.

Table 19: Consultancy contracts to the value of $10 000 or more let 2012–13

Consultant	Description	Contract price inc GST ($)	Selection process 1	Justification 2
Carbon Media	Indigenous-focused Facebook page	94 460	Limited	A
Cultural Perspectives	Consultant – Assistance delivering formality strategy	75 003	Open	A
Equity Partners Accountants	Advisors – Accounting services	79 200	Prequalified	A
Total Decision Support Pty Ltd	Develop – Product and service costing model for joint roll	25 610	Open	A
KPMG	Internal audit: Review FMA requirement for compliance	48 950	Open	A
KPMG	Internal audit – Review of services	16 500	Open	A
KPMG	Internal audit – Review of contract management	31 900	Open	A
KPMG	Internal audit	11 000	Open	A
KPMG	Internal audit	26 400	Open	A
KPMG	Internal audit	24 200	Open	A
KPMG	Internal audit – BRIDGE, provision of services	29 597	Open	A
Internal Audit Bureau	Investigative services	19 998	Open	A
Anne Markiewicz & Associates Pty Ltd	Review and re-develop monitoring & evaluation framework	27 680	Limited	A
Corporate Success Group	Investigative services	19 998	Open	A
Anne Markiewicz & Associates Pty Ltd	Reconciliation of field work	10 285	Limited	A
Agile Digital Engineering Pty Ltd	Feasibility and scoping study – Alignment with Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) geography	22 137	Open	B
Price Waterhouse Coopers	Audit of AEC’s disclosure compliance function	109 841	Open	A
Ron McLeod	Review of AEC’s disclosure compliance	143 000	Limited	B
Ergo Asia Pty Ltd	Consultation of print and Production Services	55 000	Open	B
Anne Markiewicz & Associates Pty Ltd	Evaluation – Delivery of final report	26 301	Limited	A
Anne Markiewicz & Associates Pty Ltd	Evaluation – Commencement of field work	72 212	Limited	A
Anne Markiewicz & Associates Pty Ltd	Evaluation – Delivery of draft report	56 837	Limited	A
Yellow Edge Pty Ltd	Review of training architecture	33 880	Open	A
Mentoring And Corporate Affairs	Advisory services	10 000	Open	A
Total		1 069 989

1. See Commonwealth Procurement Rules (1 July 2012) for explanation of procurement process.
2. A = need for specialised or professional skills; B = need for independent research or assessment.

Australian National Audit Office access clauses

During 2012–13, all AEC contracts in excess of $100 000 (GST inclusive) included provisions for the Auditor-General to have access to the contractor’s premises.

Exempt contracts

During 2012–13, no contract or standing offer in excess of $10 000 (GST inclusive) was exempted from publication on AusTender on the basis that it would disclose exempt matters under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.