84Conduct of biodiversity conservation purchasing processes

84 Conduct of biodiversity conservation purchasing processes

(1) The Secretary may, on behalf of the Commonwealth, conduct one or more biodiversity conservation purchasing processes. (2) In exercising the power conferred by subsection (1), the Secretary must have regard to: (a) the principles set out in subsection (3); and (b) such other matters (if any) as are specified in the rules. Principles for conduct of biodiversity conservation purchasing processes (3) The principles for conducting a biodiversity conservation purchasing process are that the process should: (a) facilitate the Commonwealth receiving value for money when purchasing biodiversity certificates; and (b) maximise the protection or enhancement of biodiversity that results from the process; and (c) be conducted in a manner that ensures that administrative costs are reasonable; and (d) be conducted in a manner that ensures the integrity of the process; and (e) encourage competition; and (f) provide for fair and ethical treatment of all participants in the process. (4) To avoid doubt, the mere fact that a person is: (a) a project proponent for a registered biodiversity project; or (b) a holder of a biodiversity certificate for a registered biodiversity project; does not automatically entitle the person to participate in a biodiversity conservation purchasing process.