- Horizon Power to partner with Supply Nation to deliver Aboriginal Procurement Policy
Energy Minister Ben Wyatt has congratulated Horizon Power for becoming the first State Government entity to collaborate with Supply Nation in its efforts to implement the McGowan Government's Aboriginal Procurement Policy (APP).
Under the APP, government departments and agencies will be required to award a percentage of contracts to Aboriginal-owned businesses. The targets will increase from one per cent by the end of this financial year to three per cent by the end of the 2020-21 financial year.
Aboriginal businesses are about 100 times more likely to employ Aboriginal people than non-Aboriginal businesses. As the State's regional electricity supplier, Horizon Power is well-positioned to assist these businesses in generating job opportunities for Aboriginal people in parts of the State where finding a job can be particularly challenging.
Supply Nation has a long history of engaging with government, corporate and not-for-profit sectors to help create opportunities for Aboriginal-owned businesses, and will work with Horizon Power to develop procurement initiatives to assist them with their target.
Horizon Power delivers services to more than 40 remote and town-based Aboriginal communities, and already has a strong record of Aboriginal community engagement.
As stated by Energy and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt:
"I am very proud of the Government's Aboriginal Procurement Policy, which is designed to create opportunities for greater economic participation and prosperity for Aboriginal people across the State.
"Under this policy, Horizon Power will award work to Aboriginal businesses in regional and remote parts of WA. This is particularly important for creating employment opportunities in parts of the State where securing a job can be particularly challenging."
