The Territory Labor Government is improving employment, business and economic outcomes for all Territorians, while maximising opportunities for Aboriginal Territorians, with today’s launch of the Aboriginal Procurement Policy and the Aboriginal Economic Participation Framework.
Aboriginal Procurement Policy
The Aboriginal Procurement Policy (APP) is a targeted approach as part of the Value for Territory Framework, to increase the opportunities for Aboriginal Business Enterprises, community controlled organisations and Aboriginal Territorians to participate in government procurement activities.
Aboriginal people comprise approximately 30% of the Territory population, and the APP is one mechanism to realise the government’s commitment to improve economic outcomes for Aboriginal Territorians as important partners in the Territory’s economic future. Better engaging Aboriginal Territorians in government procurement will expedite the growth of the Territory economy and benefit all Territorians.
Designed to increase equitable access to procurement activities, the APP will apply to Northern Territory Government contracts with an estimated value of $15,000 or greater. It will provide new opportunities for established and emerging Aboriginal businesses, in new areas of government spend such as graphic design, consultancies and training, catering, security as well as the traditional trades.
Existing Aboriginal enterprises can apply to be recognised as an Aboriginal Business Enterprise under a transitioning agreement for a period of up to 18 months, providing a step change in the advancement of Aboriginal employment and business opportunities through government contracting activities.
Following the 18 month transitional period, businesses with an Aboriginal ownership of 51 per cent or more – and who can demonstrate daily Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in their workforce – will be classified as an Aboriginal Business Enterprise (ABE). The NT Government aims to award 5 per cent of all Government contracts to ABEs in 2022-23.
