The Hon Lindsay Tanner MP |
The Hon Lindsay Mark Arbib |
25/2010
18 May 2010
Minister for Finance and Deregulation Lindsay Tanner and Minister Employment Participation Mark Arbib today opened public consultation on the Australian Government’s enhanced Indigenous Opportunities Policy.
Senator Arbib said the Australian Government was working to create increased Indigenous employment, training and supplier opportunities through Government procurement policies.
“The new policy will drive the way businesses contribute to Indigenous employment and business opportunities when supplying to the Government,” Senator Arbib said.
“I encourage Australian companies, particularly those who regularly do business with Government, business representative bodies, Indigenous businesses, procurement experts and other relevant parties to respond.
“This consultation process will ensure the policy works for both business and Government.”
Mr Tanner said from 1 July 2010 tenders for Australian Government projects worth more than $5 million, and $6 million for construction projects, in regions with significant Indigenous populations must have plans for employing and training local Indigenous people, and for 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,” Mr Tanner said.
“Successful tenderers will be required to implement these plans when they win a Government contract. The policy will be fully implemented by 31 December 2010.”
Draft guidelines on applying the policy, including definitions and locations on where it applies, were released today for comment.
The draft guidelines have been developed taking into account valuable feedback from the business sector and a number of Government agencies. Final guidelines will be released on 1 July 2010.
The draft guidelines are available at www.deewr.gov.au/iop and consultation closes on 4 June.
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