[Greens-Media] Government needs to drive procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses

[Redman, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

28th May 2014

Government needs to drive procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses

The Australian Greens said today Government needs to do more to drive more procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, taking action to give effect to their words.

"Government procurement and the requirement for procurement as part of funding agreements are strong and direct ways to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and services. Government acknowledgement of the need to increase and support Aboriginal business needs to be reflected in actual actions," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues said today.

"Tendering contracts to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses in an important step towards strengthening communities and providing more employment and training opportunities.

"There needs to be a close examination of the ways in which the low rate of tenders to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses can be increased.

"When speaking to organisations, including those in remote and regional Australia, it is clear to me that they are keen for more opportunities to provide more products and services to Governments, helping them grow their businesses. This includes requiring contracts, particularly in rural and remote areas to have a component of Aboriginal employment or provision.

"Governments around the country have the capacity to drive significant investment in businesses. Existing procurement policies need to be closely examined, and other options, such as the weighting contracts to boost the use of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, the use of incentives and development of new investment opportunities should also be considered," Senator Siewert concluded.