A plan to tweak the pattern of NSW Government spending will provide new opportunities for Aboriginal entrepreneurs, generate Indigenous employment and lead to positive social change.
Terri and Andrew recently attended a gathering at NSW Parliament. The Hon Greg Pearce MLC (Chair, Inquiry into Economic Development in Aboriginal Communities) and The Hon Leslie Williams MLA (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs) were event hosts and dinner attendees included Sean Gordon (Chair, Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council), Laura Berry (CEO Supply Nation), Herb Smith (CEO Dreamtime Tucker), Nyunggai Warren Mundine (Chair, Indigenous Advisory Council) and Laurie Perry (CEO Wonnarua Nation Aboriginal Corporation).
NSW Parliament Dining Room, with Laurie Perry, Laura Berry, Sean Gordon, Terri Janke, Nyunggai Warren Mundine, Shauna Jarrett, the Hon Greg Pearce MLC and Andrew Pitt.
On discussion was the Final Report into the Inquiry and the 39 recommendations. The writing style of the report is equally consultative. Hearings were also held in Dubbo, Tamworth and Narooma plus 52 Submissions were received.
We are particularly impressed with the recommendation for a NSW Government Aboriginal Procurement Policy. We understand this recommendation has been acted on and the policy is written in draft form.
“Just let us quote on a job. Let us demonstrate we can provide value for money”. Sounds like a simple request. We hear this message plenty of times from Indigenous business owners wanting to quote on government tenders. Challenges include navigating the panel system (often just getting on a panel) and complying with the government procurement process.
A NSW Government Aboriginal Procurement Policy (similar to the Commonwealth Indigenous Procurement Policy) will no doubt address these barriers, spread the government spend, still achieve value for money and lead to social change.
Update:
The NSW Government has accepted a majority of the 39 recommendations put forward in the report.
Click here to read the response.