Defence: Vehicle Repairs

Mr Bevis asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 15 May 2002:

1. What process is used to select private companies to undertake transmission repair work for army vehicles in Brisbane.
2. How many providers of this work are currently engaged.
3. What are the names of these providers.
4. How many vehicles have been repaired by each of these firms.
5. What is the process of quality control.
6. Have any firms been removed from the approved repairers' list, if so, why.
7. What procedures exist for additional firms to be added to the approved repairers' list.

Mrs Vale - The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable member's question:

1. Selection of contractors occurs through the assessment of capacity, capability, quality, insurance coverage, financial viability, cost schedule and contractual compliance.
2. Nine.
3. For Landrover transmissions:
   • A1 Four Wheel Drive Services.
   • Four Wheel Drive Centre.
   • FWD Motors Pty Ltd.
   • Paul Beauchamp Performance & Automotive.
   For Unimog transmissions:
   • Daimler Chrysler.
   • Mack Trucks Australia.
   • Brisbane Diff & Gearbox Pty Ltd.
   For Mack transmissions:
   • Mack Trucks Australia.
   • Brisbane Diff & Gearbox Pty Ltd.
4. Of the firms engaged in transmission repairs, Four Wheel Drive Centre, FWD Motors Pty Ltd, Daimler Chrysler, and Mack Trucks Australia are involved in vehicle repairs. The number of vehicles repaired cannot be readily quantified due to difficulties in discriminating between repairs conducted by each contractor to vehicles, sub-assemblies and component parts and the fact that the vehicle fleet has been in service for approximately 18 years.
5. Quality control processes are internal to the contractors quality management system and are reviewed as part of the assessment process when selecting a supplier. Generally quality control occurs through inspection and testing during stages of repair and upon completion. All work is certified as being complete in accordance with the terms and conditions of the purchase order. Quality assurance is conducted by Commonwealth representatives through both product and process audits.
6. No.
7. Additional firms are identified as potential contractors through advertisement, unsolicited approach to Northern Logistic Group, referral from related industry sources and known suppliers to Defence or other Government Departments. Once identified a supplier assessment is conducted.

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