Palaszczuk Government backing Indigenous business

To mark Indigenous Business Month, the Palaszczuk Government is shining a light on the growing ranks of successful Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that Queensland leads the nation when it comes to the growth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.

Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Jackie Trad said Indigenous Business Month provided the perfect opportunity to highlight the positive impacts of supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.

“Queensland is home to more than a quarter of all Indigenous small businesses in Australia,” Ms Trad said.

“That’s around 3000 businesses across every sector and at all stages, from start-ups to large organisations.

“Continuing to support and grow our state’s Indigenous businesses is essential to achieving maximum economic participation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders.

“While Indigenous Business Month is a key highlight, the Queensland Indigenous Procurement Policy, grants and workshops demonstrate that the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to help Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business operators is a year-round initiative.”

“For example, under the QIPP we are seeing an improvement in engagement by government agencies with Indigenous businesses through the procurement process.

“And it is having a positive impact, with figures for the 2018-19 financial year showing more than 420 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses secured $329 million in Queensland Government procurement.”

Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman said October was a time to celebrate our state’s rapidly growing innovative Indigenous small businesses.

“Research tells us that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses are more likely to collaborate, partner and work with other Indigenous businesses,” Ms Fentiman said.

“We want to continue to support our Indigenous small businesses to grow and succeed and one way we are doing that is through our grants program.”

Ms Fentiman said one successful business who received a Small Business Digital grant was Gold Coast-based clothing company Primal Sport – co-founded by Rugby League legend Preston Campbell.

“Preston Campbell has proved to be a winner not only on the sports field but in small business with Primal Sport designing and making clothing for community, business, schools and sports organisations for local, national and international customers,” she said.

“Primal Sport is the ideal example of the new generation of innovative, passionate, highly skilled and successful Indigenous businesses and was one of more than 200 small businesses to receive a digital grant in the last round.’’

Mr Campbell, the 2001 Dally M Player of the year and Gold Coast Titan’s first Life Member, said the grant would enable Primal Sport to activate the company’s digital and social marketing plans, including expanding its website and improving the customer experience through developing a 3D apparel kit builder.

“The grant is fantastic news for Primal, as a small grass-roots business, we have spent the last three years building our product range and forming meaningful relationships with our customers…this grant will be vital in assisting us to go forward,’’ Mr Campbell said. 

“I’ve noticed plenty of growth in our urban communities with regards to opportunities for small Indigenous businesses, we still have a fair way to go but I’ve definitely noticed more ‘mob’ getting into business and pursuing their aspirations.’’

Indigenous Business Month (October), is an initiative of the MURRA Indigenous Master Class Program alumni (MURRA), which showcases the talent and depth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs and businesses from a variety of sectors.

There are a range of events occurring across the state to ignite conversation about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business and innovation focussing on the 2019 theme “Indigenous Ingenuity”.

Events include: the NDIS Indigenous Business Engagement Forum; with the Community Services Industry Alliance; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander marketplace with Birrunga Gallery and Blaklash; and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business capability workshop for women in business, held in conjunction with Griffith University.

The Department for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships will also support events and workshops around the state throughout the month.

For more information: https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/training-careers/support/indigenous

For more information on DATSIP programs visit https://www.datsip.qld.gov.au/programs-initiatives/enterprise-development

For more information on Indigenous Business Month visit http://www.indigenousbusinessmonth.com.au/

ENDS

Media Contact:          Deputy Premier’s office – Daniel Lato 0438 891 158

                            Minister Fentiman’s office – Inga Williams 0439 949 719

Attachment: Primal Sport Ambassadors (from left to right) Khanui Cox (Australian & New Zealand Touch Representative), Clinton Toopi (NRL Legend), and Preston Campbell