Social enterprises to score larger slice of government procurement

Supplying to government is about to get easier for Queensland’s growing social enterprise sector with the Palaszczuk Government announcing more than $1 million for new initiatives today.

Speaking at a Parliamentary reception to mark World Social Enterprise Day, Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said supporting the growth of social enterprises and creating jobs was an important part of the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

“Improving access to procurement opportunities has the potential to open so many doors for Queensland’s social enterprises,” Minister Farmer said.

“We know they deliver positive impacts in their communities while contributing to the economy, and that’s why we want to support them in every way we can.

“Under our Social Enterprise Jobs Fund, the Palaszczuk Government has committed $660,000 over the next two years to help more social enterprises supply goods and services to government.

“We’ll do that by working with experts like Social Traders to build the capability of government buyers for social procurement and by extending access to the Social Traders Portal.”

Minister Farmer said the Social Traders Portal will be available to all Queensland Government agencies to ensure government buyers have access to a database of genuine, quality social enterprises.

“Each year, the government invests more than $14 billion in goods and services and a further $5 billion to build and maintain infrastructure,” she said.

“We want to ensure our social enterprises score a larger slice of this investment.  

“By doing that, we can help the sector grow, scale-up activities and create more training and employment opportunities, particularly for vulnerable and disadvantaged Queenslanders.”

In a further show of support for the sector, the Palaszczuk Government has committed an additional $385,000 to the Queensland Social Enterprise Council (QSEC).

The investment will help QSEC raise the profile of social enterprises as suppliers to the private sector and for regional hub development activities.

A further $100,000 has been committed to sponsoring the 2022 Social Enterprise World Forum, to be held in Brisbane.

“We are so excited to be working with White Box Enterprises, the co-host of the 2022 Forum, to really turn the spotlight on Queensland’s social enterprise sector,” Minister Farmer said.

“This year’s Forum highlighted key priorities covering climate change and the circular economy, Indigenous-led social enterprises and gender equality.

“We look forward to continuing these important conversations when Brisbane plays host next year.

“Until then, on World Social Enterprise Day, we celebrate those businesses that deliver genuine social benefits for Queenslanders, not just shareholders.

“We acknowledge them for approaching their position in their communities with responsibility and with the interest of promoting its success.”

The Palaszczuk Government released the Queensland Social Enterprise Strategy in 2019, designed to build capability and capacity, make connections across the sector and improve market access.

For more information on support available for social enterprises visit the Business Queensland website: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/

ENDS

Media contact:       Ben Brew      0468 839 551