Indigenous business to be engaged in Australian Government projects

AIMSC welcomes the Australian Government's announcement to bolster the involvement of Indigenous businesses in the delivery of Government projects valued at over $5m ($6m for construction projects). The Indigenous Opportunity Policy requires all tenderers for projects to provide plans for use of Indigenous suppliers and employees in delivering goods and services in tenders for agencies subject to the FMA Act 1997. The policy will come into effect on 1 July 2010.

Natalie Walker CEO of AIMSC said, “This extension of the Indigenous Opportunity Policy provides opportunities for Australian companies to engage Indigenous businesses and develop long term supply relationships. AIMSC is excited to assist our members who tender for these projects by identifying Indigenous sub-contractors for future projects. It is a step in the right direction to closing the gap.”

The Business Leaders Forum, hosted by the Minister for Employment Participation in Canberra last week, was a great start to increase understanding amongst the Australian business community about how to encourage the growth of Indigenous enterprise. This policy provides a further incentive and catalyst to drive this behaviour across industry sectors. We know from our experience that Indigenous businesses are more likely to employ Indigenous people therefore increasing the economic development of Indigenous people and communities.

AIMSC will work with Government to advise on enhancements to the policy and the implementation plan in the coming months. AIMSC will also work with our members to connect them with AIMSC Certified Indigenous businesses to work with on specific projects.

AIMSC provides a direct business-2-business purchasing link between corporate Australia, government agencies and Indigenous-owned businesses. Our mission is to contribute to the creation of a sustainable, vibrant and prosperous Indigenous enterprise sector in Australia.

In its first quarter of operation (to 31st December 2009) AIMSC reported the following activity between its members and suppliers: