The McGowan Labor Government has responded positively to the introduction of the Aboriginal Procurement Policy with 4.77 per cent of contracts, worth more than $167 million, awarded to registered Aboriginal businesses.
This result highlights the success of the policy with a significant increase in the number and value of government contracts awarded.
During the 2018-19 financial year, 92 businesses of all sizes across metropolitan and regional Western Australia were engaged, in turn providing jobs and improving economic outcomes for Aboriginal people.
Contracts were awarded to supply a range of different goods and services, community services and works including building and facility maintenance and construction, signage, human resources and horticulture services.
Of the 92 Aboriginal businesses engaged, 99 per cent are based in Western Australia. Excluding Perth, businesses in the Kimberley region were awarded the most contracts, followed by the Pilbara, Mid-West and South-West, demonstrating the depth and strength of companies in the regions.
The Aboriginal Procurement Policy was introduced in July 2018 and requires WA government agencies to award a minimum of one per cent of contracts to registered Aboriginal businesses in year one, increasing by a further one per cent per year for the next two years until 2020-21.
In year one, 33 individual agencies met the policy target including Main Roads Western Australia, WA Country Health Service, the Department of Education and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
The full report is available at https://www.wa.gov.au
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt:
"The year one results are pleasing and set us up well for continued growth in the Aboriginal business sector.
"The results highlight the breadth of the Aboriginal business community across our great State.
"Our Government will continue to support Aboriginal businesses and I am confident the policy will deliver further success in years two and three.
"Through the Department of Finance, we will carry on training and engaging with Aboriginal businesses to encourage their involvement in future government procurement opportunities."
