18 September 2026
Community independent candidate for Ashwood, Hitendra Joshi, says today’s reports of a former Victorian Government Purchasing Board director alleging politicisation of public procurement confirm what voters have long suspected — that government purchasing and tendering has been used to reward political supporters rather than deliver value for taxpayers.
“These aren’t isolated claims. Year after year we hear the same story — contracts going to the well-connected, tenders closed to scrutiny, and both major parties looking after their own instead of getting the best outcome for Victorians,” Mr Joshi said.
“It’s time for this to end. We need full transparency on all government procurement, and an end to closed tenders. Every contract, every tender, every decision should be able to withstand public scrutiny.
“If companies bidding for government work don’t want that degree of transparency, voters deserve to know why.”
Mr Joshi said an elected community independent for Ashwood would push for procurement reform that opens the process to real oversight, rather than leaving it to the discretion of whichever party is in office.
“Neither major party has clean hands on this. That’s why independents matter — we don’t owe anyone favours, and we’re not chasing government contracts for donors or mates,” he said.
Media contact: Gregory Storer, Campaign Manager, [email protected]