Finance and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt has today announced the State’s first Aboriginal Procurement Policy. The policy aims to support positive change and increased economic participation of Aboriginal people throughout the State.
From July 1, 2018, government departments will be required to award one per cent of contracts to registered Aboriginal businesses, with this target increasing to two per cent on July 1, 2019 and three per cent on July 1, 2020. The targets will apply to all government agencies and government trading enterprises when purchasing goods, services, community services and works.
The Department of Finance will work with stakeholders to facilitate implementation of the policy which will commence early in 2018, with delivery of an education and training program in metropolitan and regional areas across the State.
Plans are also underway for the department to host an Aboriginal Business Expo in March 2018. The expo will provide an opportunity for the Aboriginal business sector to showcase the range of quality goods and services available, and strengthen their relationships with government buyers. Reporting on the achievement of targets will be provided to the Minister, with relevant information relating to progress to be made publicly available.
The Aboriginal Procurement Policy is available on the Department of Finance’s website.