Hydro Tasmania has developed good relationships with customers, suppliers and partners. However, we need to do much more when it comes to meeting our responsibilities under our sustainability policy. While some progress has been made, we have given ourselves a lower sustainability score than last year for not fulfilling our commitment to develop a supplier and partnership program, because not doing so means we have not kept pace with our peers. Our intent remains unchanged to develop measures for improvement over time.

A new Procurement Policy was drafted in 2006/07, incorporating sustainability principles, and will be implemented in the coming year.

A step to influencing suppliers has been taken. Hydro Tasmania and its oil supplier considered the environmental risks of delivering oil products into the World Heritage Area. An arrangement was agreed for an oil spill trailer to accompany delivery.

Hydro Tasmania continues to source goods and services from Tasmanian businesses where possible. Table 17 shows all suppliers who were paid $50,000 or more, excluding GST, for the financial year 2006-07. Tasmanian businesses are defined as businesses operating in Tasmania, which have a permanent office or presence in Tasmania and employ Tasmanian workers.