The State Government’s Aboriginal Procurement Policy has consistently surpassed its targets since inception, and this 2022-2023 financial year it has broken its own record with 356 contracts awarded to Aboriginal businesses, totalling more than $254 million in value.
The policy, rooted in ethical and social procurement practices, successfully boosts contracting opportunities for Aboriginal businesses collaborating with State Government agencies and promotes employment and business opportunities.
The total marks a significant contribution to the economic well-being of the Aboriginal community. Impressively, 72 percent of these contracts were secured by regional Aboriginal businesses, further enhancing the policy's impact.
This year's results highlight success stories of agencies, such as, Main Roads, Department of Communities, and Department of Education, showcasing their commitment to ethical procurement practices.
Looking ahead, the focus remains on sustaining and enhancing these achievements. The recently introduced Aboriginal Participation Requirements have paved the way for an additional $19 million in subcontracting arrangements for Aboriginal businesses in the 2022-23 fiscal year. With over $1 billion worth of Government contracts awarded to Aboriginal businesses in the past five years, the policy's impact on promoting economic growth and prosperity is undeniable.
Minister for Finance, Sue Ellery, expressed pride in the government's accomplishments, citing the near doubling of the 3.5 percent target for Aboriginal business contracts.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Tony Buti, emphasised the State Government's unwavering commitment to social procurement. Butti said “The results are excellent and demonstrate that the State Government remains committed to delivering contracting opportunities to Aboriginal businesses beyond the set targets of the Aboriginal Procurement Policy.”
For a visual overview, head to the Aboriginal Procurement Policy Performance Report Infographic 2022-2023.
On the theme of a policy that boosts collaborative work between Aboriginal business and local government, at Procurement Australia our 35 years of experience tell us that one area local government can benefit from is collaborative contracts. You can learn more about collaborative contracts and why we believe it’s the future of procurement by reading our article, Collaborative Procurement: The Future of Strategic Procurement.