By Kate Russell, a proud Awabakal woman and CEO of Supply Nation
After more than a decade of Prime Ministers delivering their Closing the Gap reports, we’ve become accustomed to news of the slow rate of change to achieving equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia.
In the latest instalment earlier this year, the Prime Minister reported that only four targets were likely to be met. In another four target areas - children's early development, rates of children in out-of-home care, rates of adult imprisonment, and suicide – conditions have actually worsened.
But there is one area where the gap is closing - the Indigenous business sector. The growth of which is a shining light in efforts to secure a fair go and equal opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
My organisation, Supply Nation, reports that the Indigenous business spend has grown in the past financial year to generate a record $4.1 billion in contracts from Supply Nation members.
Nationally, more than 15,200 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are employed within the First Nations business sector. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses are also growing rapidly compared to the broader economy – on average 13 percent per year compared to 3 percent.
A major driver of this improvement has been the introduction of the Federal Government’s Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP). The IPP is often overlooked in discussions of major Indigenous reforms, but I’m confident it will come to be seen as one of the great transforming events for my people in our lifetime.
While only outcome 8 specifically focused on the Indigenous economy, many Closing the Gap indicators are underpinned or heavily influenced by economic factors - health, housing, education and employment. By lifting economic outcomes for mob, we can make significant impacts on broader outcomes.
The public service is playing a major role in driving this growth and improved outcomes for my people. Supply Nation’s latest research indicates that government members report the highest spend on Indigenous suppliers of any sector, accounting for 45 per cent of all revenue. According to the Federal Government, all of its agencies are currently meeting the 3 per cent Indigenous procurement target it has set. However, governments and Indigenous businesses need a way of coming together if the IPP is to continue to thrive.
That’s where Supply Nation comes in. For 15 years we’ve been working in this space and have managed the Indigenous business database since it began. This database matches our members including Federal Government departments with Indigenous suppliers. We also offer additional matching advice to put agencies in touch with Indigenous businesses that can best meet their requirements.
We have a stringent five-step verification process and annual audits, so that by working with Supply Nation, government departments can be much more assured that they are engaging with genuine Indigenous businesses.
The vast majority of Commonwealth Government Departments are already Supply Nation members. Any that aren’t, are able to join via our website. Our database is open to the public free of charge because we don’t want any barriers for individuals or organisations wanting to engage with Indigenous businesses. Many Commonwealth agencies are doing more than procuring with Indigenous suppliers, they are supporting capability uplift, sponsoring trade fairs and conducting research to support the broader sector.
The dynamism, growth and resilience of the Indigenous economy in Australia gives me hope that the gap will finally close in my lifetime and that my children will always consider their Aboriginality to be an asset and a blessing. When the gap finally closes, and the playing field equalised, the Australian Public Service can be proud of the role they have played in Australian history.