Indigenous business owners and operators will be given the opportunity to have their say on what they need to grow and shine in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said this was the focus of a series of yarns and other events being held throughout Queensland during October as the nation celebrates Indigenous Business Month.
On 22 October, Rockhampton will host a Meet the Buyers event at Walter Reid Auditorium. It will offer advice on how to on improve and sustain working relationships between mainstream suppliers and Deadly Directory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses. The event is partnered between DESBT and Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (DSDSATSIP).
“The Palaszczuk Government has set a 10-year goal to foster and encourage Indigenous business across the state in the lead up to 2032 Olympics,” Minister Farmer said.
“We want to ensure Indigenous businesses are best positioned to take advantage of this once in a lifetime event and can tap into opportunities to supply their goods and services pre and post the Games.
“It is our intention that Indigenous businesses in Queensland, particularly potential government suppliers, will be given every opportunity to thrive in the lead up to Brisbane 2032 Olympics.”
Member for Rockhampton, Barry O’Rourke, said that Indigenous Business Month is a great way for Indigenous business owners and intenders to talk about their business, source information and most importantly, collaborate so they can make plans to grow.
“Indigenous Business Month is a great chance to highlight the important role Indigenous businesses play in the Queensland economy,” Mr O’Rourke said
Member for Keppel, Brittany Lauga, said the backing small business is at the heart of the Palaszczuk Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan, and indigenous businesses play a vital role in that.
“Collectively Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses contribute more than $1 billion a year to the national economy, with revenues growing on average at 12.5 per cent annually,” Ms Lauga said
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford said the Queensland Government was delivering a number of events during Indigenous Business Month to get the conversation started.
“Indigenous Business Month is a golden opportunity for Indigenous businesses to find out how to secure additional contracts, achieve greater representation in supply chains, and to encourage more Indigenous businesses to consider providing services to government,” Minister Crawford said.
“We are taking every opportunity to provide all the support required so they can grow in capability, capacity and in number.
“The 2032 Olympics will be a very special opportunity to showcase our state’s smartest, most creative and talented Indigenous businesses to the world.
“This strategic focus will ensure that beyond 2032, Indigenous businesses have a solid impact on the local economy and have created a positive impression globally.”
Minister for Tourism Industry Development and Innovation Stirling Hinchliffe said during Indigenous Business Month, ‘yarns’ or Indigenous business forums will be held throughout the state.
“Yarning2032 events are important face to face engagement opportunities for Indigenous business owners who currently are or wish to supply to Government, to learn more about the Queensland Indigenous Procurement Policy,” Minister Hinchliffe said.
“Discussions from Yarning2032 will inform activities over the coming years to support Indigenous businesses to grow in readiness for the Games.
“The yarns will be co-developed with members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Business and Innovation Reference Group who are outstanding entrepreneurs, business leaders and researchers who provide strategic advice to government on matters that impact First Nations communities.”
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Business and Innovation Reference Group (BIRG) member Leann Wilson welcomed the collaboration.
“It is great to be co-developing and co-delivering important information with Government to ensure Indigenous businesses are bringing their unique leadership, skills and attributes to the table,” Ms Wilson said.
October marks the 7th annual National Indigenous Business Month.
The initiative was co-founded and is run each year by Dr Michelle Evans of Melbourne Business School, Ms Mayrah Sonter of 33 Creative and Ms Leesa Watego of Iscariot Media.
