Turnbull must reaffirm Indigenous jobs commitment against LNP Buy Qld attacks

The Federal Government must reaffirm its commitment to Indigenous jobs in light of recent attacks on the Palaszczuk Government’s ‘Buy Queensland’ policy.

Queensland’s Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Mark Furner said increasing Indigenous employment opportunities was a key part of the Palaszczuk Government’s new Buy Queensland procurement policy.

“Through the Queensland Indigenous Procurement Policy (QIPP), we are setting a clear target to increase the share of procurement contracts awarded to Indigenous business to three per cent by 2022,” Mr Furner said.

“This commitment is in line with the Federal Government’s own Indigenous Procurement Policy, yet all they’ve done is criticise the State’s Buy Queensland plan.

“I want Malcolm Turnbull to come clean and say what this means for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders.

“Does his Government support Indigenous employment or not?

“We need bi-partisan support on this issue so we can truly close the gap on disadvantage and create more jobs and business opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

Mr Furner said the initiative would support the growth and development of Indigenous businesses across Queensland.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to increasing the economic participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through employment, business ownership and growth,” Mr Furner said.

“The 2011 Census showed that around six per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people owned their own business, compared with around 15 per cent of non-Indigenous Queenslanders.

“By 2014-15, this figure had grown to be around 10 per cent making a strong case to provide a framework to increase the value of government contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses.”

Mr Furner said the QIPP will align with the overarching framework for procurement in Queensland.

“The QIPP will guide decision making, increase the visibility of Indigenous businesses and increase the value of procurement with Indigenous businesses,” Mr Furner said

“This isn’t just about getting the cheapest contract, because we know value for money also means better social and economic outcomes for Indigenous people and businesses.

“Importantly, the QIPP will be dynamic, and responsive to new and emerging knowledge regarding the capability of Indigenous businesses.

“Engagement with regions throughout Queensland will be critical in understanding local economies and markets and ensuring challenges are identified and opportunities captured.”

The QIPP will commence on 1 September, 2017.

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