Aboriginal businesses in the Peel Region are a source of pride, unity and connection for our community. They foster social and economic empowerment that aids the growth of individual businesses and contribute significantly to the economic development of the region.
The Aboriginal Business Development Forum, hosted by the Peel Development Commission, was an opportunity for Aboriginal business owners to learn more about how they can access Government contract opportunities and get practical support for growing their businesses.
Robyn Clarke MLA Member for Murray Wellington, who opened the event and said, “The State Government’s number one priority is to provide jobs and opportunities to Western Australians. This initiative is available for Aboriginal Businesses and to support economic participation for Indigenous people. The new round of funding presents exciting opportunities for those already in business, or seeking to establish a business in the region”.
Supporting a strong and diverse Indigenous business sector is key to empowering Indigenous Australians, and to placing business owners, their families and communities in the driver’s seat of their economic future.
The event brought together over 40 people to hear from Indigenous Professional Services, Peel Local Content Advisor and the Mandurah/Murray Employment Facilitator to showcase a range of supports available for Aboriginal Businesses across Peel.
This is key in connecting Peel’s Aboriginal businesses to these opportunities and to the business development support that’s available within the region.
Katina Law, Managing Director at Indigenous Professional Services, addressed the forum, sharing insights on how successfully participating in the government tender process for contracts was fundamental in their business growth.
Ms Law said of today’s forum that, “There are strong opportunities for Indigenous businesses in the Peel region and across WA thanks to the Government’s new Aboriginal Procurement Policy. It was encouraging to see so many passionate and enthusiastic Aboriginal businesspeople participating in this event”.
Tahlia Jones, Peel Local Content Advisor, and Maryanne Baker, Mandurah/Murray Employment Facilitator, also addressed the forum about the current initiatives that exist for Aboriginal businesses to grow and develop through the Aboriginal Procurement Policy, capability registers and funds, as well as employment services, incentives and programs.
The importance of support networks and collaboration cannot be underestimated in bringing policy to fruition and achieving real results for local business and growth for our region.
Paddi Creevey, Chair of the Peel Development Commission, said that social networks are a fundamental characteristic of Aboriginal culture and supporting those networks to connect people with business opportunities is a natural extension.
The Aboriginal Business Development Forum was an important first step in providing that networking forum, bringing awareness and illumination to the Aboriginal Procurement Policy and the opportunities it presents, as well as the support mechanisms that are available. When our Indigenous business sector is supported in its growth and development, our entire region benefits.
In the photo: (Left) Katina Law, Managing Director, Indigenous Professional Services; Robyn Clarke MLA, Member for Murray Wellington; Maitland Hill, Owner/Operator, Kaarak Dreaming – Maitland’s Cultural Tours; Paddi Creevey, Chair, Peel Development Commission.