Bargaining or Bludgeoning? Compulsory Tendering and Enterprise Bargaining in Victoria

Abstract

ABSTRACT Compulsory competitive tendering is primarily concerned with creating a more competitive, open, market in areas of service provision which may previously have been closed. This may be perceived exclusively in terms of efficiency and efforts to standardise service provision within specific sectors across government (or other) boundaries. Alternatively, it may be viewed as a reconfiguration in government-citizen power relations. Similarly, enterprise bargaining may be considered something of a free market approach to collective labour forces. Equally, it may be seen to present alternative relations between citizens, state and federal governments, agencies and apparatuses. In each instance, changes in conceptions and activities of citizens and state instruments are becoming apparent Most notably the fundamental issues of public and social policy—rights, responsibilities and rewards—are being redefined and allocated according to new criteria and conditions.