The South Australian Industry Advocate, established under the Industry Advocate Act 2017 and supported by the Office of Industry Advocate (OIA), is responsible for implementation of the South Australian Industry Participation Policy (SAIPP).

The functions of the Industry Advocate are set out in the Act and include:

  • furthering the objectives of, and managing compliance with, the SAIPP.
  • Government expenditure that results in economic development for South Australia.
  • Value for money in public expenditure.
  • The economic development of the steel industry and other strategically important industries for South Australia.
  • Capable South Australian businesses being given full, fair and reasonable opportunity to participate in government contracts.

The scope of the SAIPP encompasses the following forms of government expenditure:

  • procurement activities
    • goods, services and construction projects above $55,000 (GST inclusive).
    • Public Private Partnership projects to which the government is a party.
    • federally funded infrastructure and construction projects managed by the government.
  • significant government support, including grants and value-in-kind, to university projects or organisations.