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.
“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,” Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said.
“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,” Minister Damien said.
“This is about making it easier fo
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,” CEO Laura 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,” Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Don Harwin said.
“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,” Minister Don 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,” Minister Don said.
The APP allows NSW Government clusters to directly negotiate with Aboriginal businesses on procurements up to $250,000.