The MCA congratulates the Indigenous Business Research Group at the University of Melbourne's Faculty of Business and Economics on receiving an Australian Research Council grant for $875,444 to conduct research to improve the effectiveness of Indigenous Preferential Procurement Programs.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make an immense contribution to Australia's minerals industry, including as owners, operators and investors in a diverse array of Indigenous mining and mining equipment, technology and services businesses. Mining relies on high quality goods and services from Indigenous businesses.
Strong leadership by senior Indigenous and mining leaders meant the minerals industry was one of the first private sectors to establish and support Indigenous preferential procurement programs.
Understanding the effectiveness of policies and programs is central to the continual improvement required in engaging and growing Australia's Indigenous business sector. The research will support a major change in public and private sector understanding of policy settings that help or hinder Indigenous business participation.
The MCA looks forward to partnering with and supporting this project by facilitating engagement with member companies and state chambers to support data collection and providing insights into the evolution of approaches by governments and industry to Indigenous preferential procurement programs.
Supply Nation research indicates mining is the largest private sector customer of Indigenous businesses.
