A new agreement between the NSW Government and Supply Nation will connect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses with government departments, create jobs and drive growth in the Aboriginal business sector.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the agreement with Supply Nation, which runs the largest directory of verified Aboriginal businesses in Australia, would make sourcing goods, services and construction procurements from Aboriginal businesses easier for government departments.
"The NSW Government spent at least $92 million on goods, services and construction directly with Aboriginal businesses last year, which was a 44 per cent increase on the previous year," Mr Tudehope said.
"This is about making it easier for Aboriginal owned businesses to work with government and in the process we will create jobs and new opportunities for Aboriginal communities looking to make a positive impact in NSW."
Supply Nation works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses along with procurement teams from government and corporate Australia to shape the rapidly evolving Aboriginal business sector.
Supply Nation has a five-step verification process to ensure that all businesses listed on Australia's largest national directory of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, Indigenous Business Direct, are not only Aboriginal owned but are also regularly audited for changes in company structure and ownership.
Supply Nation CEO Laura Berry commended the NSW Government on its strong commitment to fostering economic opportunities for the Aboriginal business sector.
"This initiative is particularly welcome as the state and businesses have navigated the challenges associated with the evolving COVID landscape," Ms Berry said.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Don Harwin said the agreement would provide Government agencies with access to certified Aboriginal businesses and by doing so will assist agencies to meet their specific new targets under the NSW Government's refreshed Aboriginal Procurement Policy.
"The revised Aboriginal Procurement Policy (APP) came into effect from 1 January 2021 and sets ambitious new targets for the NSW Government, including a target to award 3% of goods and services contracts to Aboriginal businesses," Mr Harwin said.
"This new agreement will make it easier for government clusters to consider an Aboriginal business when procuring goods and services and in the process will see more jobs created and more opportunities for Aboriginal businesses in NSW to thrive."
The APP allows NSW Government clusters to directly negotiate with Aboriginal businesses on procurements up to $250,000.
Aboriginal businesses can find opportunities to supply to government by searching on eTendering.
For more information about Supply Nation.
To find out more about the refreshed Aboriginal Procurement Policy.
