in my pre-edited version (at
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~dtphone/public_html/gonzo/theoz/outsource1.html),
there's an extra paragraph where the govt spokesperson claimed they had
anticipated these kind of changes:
<blockquote>
The Cluster 5 request for tender closed in August and a small number
of bids have already been shortlisted. Anna Schultze, a spokeswoman for
Finance Minister John Fahey, played down the impact of this change. "It's
our view that the basic character of Group 5 will remain the same," she
said.
Ms Schultze said the government would be unlikely to retender
Cluster 5. "The reasons for short-listing and removing some of the tenderers
remain valid despite the changes."
The Office of Asset Sales and IT Outsourcing (OASITO) was still
evaluating the impact of structural alterations, she said.
"The agencies aren't even sure yet as to exactly what the changes
will mean."
Ms Schultze denied the restructuring was unexpected. "Governments
change administratively all the time, so we do build into our tenders and
contracts a great deal of flexibility to enable us to cope with changes like
this. They are more than expected, they are a matter of course."
</blockquote>
DANT