Indigenous business given tips to win government contracts

Around 60 people from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander owned enterprises in the Cairns region will attend the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Business Procurement Workshop tonight to learn how to win government contracts. 

Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Curtis Pitt said the workshop would give participants practical advice on how to tender for government business, insights into how tenders are evaluated and awarded and also information about current procurement opportunities.

“This is part of our commitment to address the under-representation of indigenous- owned enterprises in Queensland,” Mr Pitt said.

“Procurement investment from the Queensland Government is worth approximately $18 billion per year.

“For too many years Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enterprise in Queensland have historically been under-represented in this investment and this needs to change.

“Small changes are already starting to show. For the financial year of 2014-15 the projected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander procurement spend is $55m.

“This is a significant increase on previous years, but it is just the beginning and we can do more.

“I hope the workshop at the Cairns Mercure Harbourside tonight will be part of continuing to improve these stats.”

Workshops will be held right across Queensland.

“As a result of this initiative it is anticipated that there will be a significant increase in the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enterprises engaging in future procurement opportunities,” Mr Pitt said.

“I hope participants learn about all the available programs and services which can assist their business.”

Information about future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Business Procurement Workshops will be available on the Queensland’s Governments Business and Industry Portal at www.business.qld.gov.au

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