I’m very keen to understand the distribution, if you like, in terms of the assessment of programs under this program compared to other programs. So, for example, are there more projects being assessed under this program, which just get across the line in terms of hitting the 60% or somewhere in the 60s, as opposed to programs in in open competitive bases, where perhaps the mean assessment is at say 80% as opposed to 60% is it possible for you to provide information in that regard? Do you have anything readily available that you could provide in terms of overall analysis,
Senator? Off my head, off the top of my head, I know that for programs where we expect that there will be demand that way out weigh exceeds the demand that the supply of funding under those programs, which tends to be for programs such as growing regions and and those types of competitive programs. I think the criteria cut off, if you like, that we ranked for as meritorious was was closer to 75% just because of the sheer volume of projects that we expect to get under projects like that. It allows us to choose at that very higher end.
Well, I put it to you that the demands there, and all them
get selected. So,
no, I understand. I put it to you that demands there for the projects of the nature that are included in this project. What was not available was the opportunity, simply the opportunity for project proponents to put forward their projects to compete with the chosen projects which made the list. Would you agree with that observation that there’s a difference in terms of demand when you’re considering an open competitive process as opposed to a closed non-competitive process,
I’m not sure necessarily
so.
Look, you can’t compare. One is a competitive process, and one is not.
Correct. So, what’s the what’s how many? What information can you get me in terms of the assessments that have been conducted with respect to the successful projects. How many, for example, have achieved the somewhere between 60% and 65%
We’d have to take that on notice, Senator.
You
can’t give me any information at the moment.
Not on the number, no. Sorry, Senator. And it’s three different scores for each project.
So it’s got a final score,
but it’s got to get over 60% on each of the each of the hurdles.
Yes.
So presumably that means the the minimum score would be 180.
Yes. Yes.
Right. Yeah,
but I don’t have I don’t have the numbers on me. We’d have to take it on notice.
Okay. Do you have a spreadsheet or something or some sort of record of what the a summary of what the assessment scores were for each project, and and and the total score out of 300.
I actually don’t think we do have a spreadsheet with the scores. I will take that on notice, but I don’t.
Okay. Well, look. Can I ask you to prepare something? So I’m keen to understand in terms of your assessment. So let’s let’s assume that the departmental officials are using the guidelines, and you’re going to provide the guidelines on notice in terms of assessing projects, and that they assume they’re doing their job diligently. I’m keen to understand what assessment schools they’ve come to with respect to these projects, each of these projects, I don’t particularly. I reserve my right to seek further detail with respect to the projects, and I’ll have a think about that and talk to my colleagues about that. But in the first instance, I’m keen to understand what the ranking results were, what the assessment scores were, so I can make an assessment as to how how much lower, and I assume it is going to be lower than the 75% which would be 225, as opposed to 180 assessment score that a competitive process would yield. You understand what I’m after?
Yes, senator. We’ll take that on notice.
Okay. I want to ask a question in relation to clause 13.4 of the guidelines. Now, with respect to confidentiality. Now, I’ve been impressed. With your erudite evidence from both of you, you’re obviously very accomplished professionals, and it gives me a lot of comfort that you’re in the position, Jory. So you’d understand what a process contract is, wouldn’t you?
We don’t generally use that term internally in the department, no.
Let me put it this way: that when people enter into a grant process or a procurement process, and there are obligations included in the conditions for participation in the guidelines and principles that those obligations are legally enforceable. Is that correct? The
guidelines. I wouldn’t really classify the guidelines as legally enforceable. They’re not a contract that’s signed between two parties. They do set out the requirements of the program and the participation eligibility in the program, and then obviously the criteria and and things like that allow us to assess under the program. So I wouldn’t classify it really as a legally enforceable document. The clause that you’re referring to, I believe, relates to confidentiality.
Can I can I ask you to take that on notice, and you might just get some further advice internally in relation to that, because I think you might find that the intention behind the drafting of the guidelines is that they are legally enforceable, and to the extent that they can be under law, but I suspect that’s the intention. Does the funding agreement, which is entered into, does that have an express confidentiality clause?
It does, senator
Can you provide? Do you have a copy of a pro forma funding agreement there?
I don’t, but it it requires. I read it yesterday. The the clause, and it it just requires each party to not disclose confidential information.
So why did you read it yesterday?
Because we’re coming into this hearing, Senator.
So it’s a reciprocal. So if you could provide a copy, perhaps of the funding agreement or notice, just the generic, and I might just ask you this in relation to confidentiality clause. It contains reciprocal obligations of confidentiality, so obligations on the government and also on the project proponent. Is that correct?
Over certain information, yeah.
Well, over over information that’s not in the public domain, presumably. Is that correct? That’s correct. Yeah, because it’s only information that’s not in the public domain that’s confidential. That’s correct, isn’t it?
That’s correct.
Yeah. Okay. All right. Thank you. I might leave it. I might. Oh, sorry. Did you have anything else? You. No, they look very. No, they’re very
comfortable, Senator. I’ll take over from you. Okay.
Thank you, Senator Scarr. has something to clarify. Oh, sorry, sorry, Sterl. This should be a compliment to you, Senator Scarr. You’re looking younger and thinner. Okay, yeah, thanks, thanks, Chair. Sorry, I just didn’t hear that, Senator Stirl. Would you say? He says he’s looking. I’m complimenting him on looking younger and fitter like you. But anyway, after Senator. Could you put it on the record for the time, please? He keeps calling me Senator Scarr. It was like looking at bookends.
