How We Think

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine is having significant impacts on global supply chains and procurement, including those in Australia. As one of the world's leading exporters of natural resources and a significant importer of goods and services, Australia is not immune to the effects of the conflict. We feel this through inflation that is proving to be difficult to control, at the bowser and in our every-day goods. In this article, I would like to explore some of the impacts of the conflict on Australia's supply chain and procurement activities, both current and ongoing.

As an industry, sports is undergoing transformational changes. The increased use of biometric athlete data, emphasis on inclusion and diversity, and athlete activism among other things present significant legal challenges which are largely unchecked.

As of 17th February 2023, all entities meeting the criteria of critical infrastructure under the amended SOCI Act 2018 are required to adopt a written CIRMP with a deadline of 6 months. This CIRMP will assist entities to remove, reduce or minimise hazards from impacting their critical infrastructure assets. Furthermore, within another 12 months entities must comply with their CIRMP.

Procurement is a fundamental part of an organisation's operations, involving sourcing and acquiring goods and services from suppliers. However, the traditional procurement process often involves multiple inefficiencies and waste that could be reduced through the implementation of Lean methodology.

Making the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) or the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) the procurement 'bogeyman' is not the answer to push for better procurement practices. Applying best practices to procurement, applying an ethical lense, declaring conflicts of interest, engaging in appropriate conduct and following agency procedures is!

The digital sphere is a civic space that provides the potential for increased opportunities around the enjoyment of human rights. Simultaneously, unequal internet access, insecure use, and the lack of ownership over online information magnifies the power disparities and divisions that threaten these rights.