Media Release

07/2010
25 February 2010

Government boosts Indigenous business and employment opportunities

The Australian Government is working to create increased Indigenous employment, training and supplier opportunities through Government procurement policies.

Minister for Employment Participation Mark Arbib has announced greater opportunities for Indigenous communities to engage in the Government projects delivered in their area following the Business Leaders Forum in Canberra yesterday.

Senator Arbib said from July 1 tenders for Government projects worth more than $5 million, and $6 million for construction projects, in regions with significant Indigenous populations must include plans for employing and training local Indigenous people, and plans for use of Indigenous suppliers.

Currently, officials are required to consider training and employing local Indigenous people and using Indigenous suppliers.

The enhanced Indigenous Opportunities Policy is part of the Australian Government’s commitment to Closing the Gap on Indigenous disadvantage and halving the gap in Indigenous unemployment within a decade.

This will encourage corporate social responsibility in relation to Indigenous employment and training, and use of Indigenous suppliers.

Many Australian companies are already actively considering Indigenous employment, and the business sector has provided some valuable preliminary feedback on the Indigenous Opportunities Policy.

The Government will continue to consult with the sector between now and the commencement of the Indigenous Opportunities Policy in July.

The Australian Government is supporting Indigenous businesses through programs such as the Indigenous Capital Assistance Scheme, Job Services Australia, the Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council, Indigenous Business Australia and the Australian Employment Covenant.

Guidance on applying the policy, including definitions and locations on where it applies will be made available through guidelines and the National Partnership Agreement website before July.

From 1 July 2010, all Commonwealth Government offices undertaking procurement will be required to do so in line with this policy. The policy will be fully implemented by 31 December 2010.

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