Protective gear tops agencies’ spending list as ‘extreme urgency’ clause used

The AFP has spent $300k on safety masks for frontline officers, with some agencies using special clause to expand coronavirus response.

A woman wearing a face mask as a precaution against COVID-19. Picture: AFP

The Australian Federal Police has spent $300,000 acquiring safety masks for frontline officers as ­government departments and agencies expand their responses to the coronavirus outbreak.

Agencies are stepping-up measures to combat COVID-19 and the looming flu season, with some using an “extreme urgency or events unforeseen” clause to circumvent usual tender processes.

An AFP spokeswoman confirmed they were working with the Department of Health, Home Affairs and DFAT to “ensure the health and safety of all personnel”.

“The AFP has adopted a range of precautionary measures to protect staff who are working on the frontline, including those based at airports around the country,” the AFP spokeswoman said.

“All staff have been reminded on the importance of hand ­hygiene, cough etiquette and social distancing; staff are encouraged to report ill-health to the AFP dedicated coronavirus email ­address and/or hotline.

“The AFP is operating consistently with the whole of government approach to sourcing personal protective equipment.”

The AFP engaged Amare Safety on February 7 for a four-month contract worth $299,970 to supply safety masks.

The Department of Health has also ramped up preparations to fight influenza, seeking suppliers for vaccines between 2021-23 and initiating market research for influenza concept testing.

On January 22, CSIRO was engaged by the Department of Agriculture on an 11-month, $48,000 research project to establish a visualisation tool for tracking avian ­influenza virus to ensure the country is “prepared” and to “minimise the risk to animal and human populations”.

“Understanding the characteristics of flu strains present in birds provides information for when vaccines — both human and poultry — need updating to match the circulating strains and help control disease outbreaks,” CSIRO said in an update on January 30.

The Health Department has also run limited tenders to support its coronavirus response acquiring thermometers through to August, the provision of banners and stands and translation services.

The government has spent more than $150,000 on thermo­meters in response to the coronavirus outbreak, with both Aspen Medical Pty Limited and the trustee of CW Management Trust through “emergency” contracts running to August.

As part of the government’s $2.4bn health plan responding to coronavirus, $1.1bn will be allocated to ensure critical healthcare staff and patients have access to personal protective equipment, including face masks, surgical gowns, goggles and hand sanitiser.

Labor MP Mike Freelander, a paediatrician, on Wednesday raised concerns about the upcoming influenza season.

“There is very little surge cap­acity left in our public hospital system. We struggle every winter,” Dr Freelander said.

“And we’re heading into winter with influenza season. We are going to struggle now because of this coronavirus crisis.”