An inconvenient treaty? Environmental policy, the World Trade Organization and public procurement in Australia

摘要

Government decisions can have enormous impact upon environmental protection, not least in relation to the award of procurement contracts. Public procurement is the process whereby a government entity purchases goods or services with public money and for public purposes. It holds substantial economic importance: the Australian Government awarded procurement contracts with a total value of above $59 million in the 2014/15 financial year, and internationally, procurement accounts for approximately 15%-20% of gross domestic product in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member countries.