7 June, 2018

New procurement policy to boost Aboriginal jobs in NSW

A new Aboriginal procurement policy introduced in NSW can make a major contribution to closing the employment gap between Aboriginal people and other Australians, the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) said today.

The Berejiklian Government policy aims to create around 3000 full time jobs for Aboriginal people over the next three years, and ensure that at least three percent of domestic NSW Government goods and services contracts will be awarded to Aboriginal-owned businesses.

NSWALC Chairman, Cr Roy Ah-See said that for the first time "This commitment by the Berejiklian Government can make a major contribution towards closing the employment gap because NSW is predicted to be the first state in Australia with a trillion dollar economy." 

But Cr Ah-See said that success or failure will be determined by how it is implemented on the ground. "The quality of the Aboriginal Participation Strategies that all Government agencies must now develop, will determine how many jobs are actually created out of the policy.

"NSWALC's expertise and commitment to securing sustainable employment for Aboriginal people can be the difference between the success or failure of the NSW Government's Aboriginal procurement policy."

Cr Ah-See said that NSWALC is expertly placed in the sector with a partnership with the Australian Government, to design and deliver the Western Sydney Indigenous Business and Employment Hub. 

"The Hub will perform multiple vital roles, including strengths-based assessments for Indigenous job seekers, training facilities, wrap-around support services and service referral for employers seeking to employ Indigenous job seekers."

The Hub is the newest initiative by NSWALC and builds on the success of its $16.4 million Economic Development Policy & Programme in the Land Rights network.

Cr Ah-See said he is committed to a better economic future for Aboriginal people in NSW.

His deeply personal story about the transformational power of employment has been published in the Australian newspaper,  and is available for you to read here.