With over a decade of experience in the Indigenous sector across the Northern Territory and Queensland, I’ve witnessed a range of government initiatives aimed at improving Indigenous communities. Some have succeeded, while others have fallen short. Despite these efforts, there is always more we can do. The persistent issues faced by rural and remote Indigenous communities still need to be addressed.
Communities such as Gapuwiyak in Central Arnhem Land, Umbakumba in the Groote Archipelago, or Woorabinda in Central Queensland, often suffer from high unemployment rates despite being near resource-rich areas. To combat this, various employment-focused initiatives have been implemented over the years. These include the Community Development and Employment Projects (CDEP), Work for the Dole (WftD), Remote Jobs and Communities Programme (RJCP), the Employment Parity Initiative, and the Jobs, Land and Economy Programme (JLEP).
Any effective program must prioritise long-term employment in its design. Additionally, it should focus on people, a direction the government often fails to prioritise.
The current focus on the Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP) is promising. Recent changes to the IPP will provide Supply Nation with more resources. This will help monitor the 1,600 Indigenous businesses in its directory. It ensures they remain bona fide Indigenous businesses and addresses the issue of ‘blackcladding.’
Joint ventures must now register on Supply Nation’s Indigenous Business Directory and meet a 50 percent Indigenous ownership and control test. They also need to have a skills capability transfer and Indigenous workforce plan reviewed annually.
Nyunggai Warren Mundine has played a significant role in strengthening the IPP, directing it more towards the Indigenous business community. His efforts and his appointment as chairman of the Indigenous Business and Economic Advisory Council are commendable.
Since its inception in 2015, the IPP has been a tremendous success, with over 3,900 Indigenous businesses securing more than $9.5 billion in Commonwealth contracts by 2023 (NIAA) (Ministers Media Centre). This is a significant improvement from just 30 businesses winning $6.2 million in 2012-13. However, integrating Indigenous employment, engagement, cultural health scoring, or alignment drivers into procurement targets could further enhance the policy’s success.
Continuous learning and adaptation are key to meaningful change. Strengthening policies like the IPP benefits the Indigenous business community. It also helps in closing the employment gap and fostering socioeconomic growth across Indigenous sectors.
Ready to make a difference? Contact Mumpara Group today to discover how you can contribute to meaningful change in Indigenous procurement and employment.
~ Tumarripi Babui – Remfrey
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