Kimberley Land Council calls on State Government to raise Aboriginal procurement targets

The Kimberley Land Council has called on the State Government to immediately raise Aboriginal procurement targets to four per cent. The State Government recently announced it would maintain the percentage of contracts awarded to Aboriginal businesses by state agencies at three per cent this financial year. The announcement advised the target would likely be raised to four per cent in 2023 and 2024, however the KLC believe the four per cent target should come into effect immediately. Disappointed by the announcement, the KLC have urged the government to immediately raise the target to four per cent, as well as make the policy apply to the WA mining sector. KLC chairman Anthony Watson said the government should bring forward its target to this financial year and make it apply to the mining sector, which is currently experiencing boom conditions. “If the McGowan government is serious about creating jobs in our communities, it should raise the number of contracts awarded to Aboriginal businesses,” he said. “There is strong evidence that every dollar spent with an Aboriginal business is more likely to directly benefit Aboriginal communities and generate more employment opportunities. “The government should make these procurement targets apply to mining companies when they are granted a lease or permit.” Mr Watson said the percentage of contracts awarded to Aboriginal businesses should at least be as much as the proportion of the state’s Aboriginal population, which is about four per cent. “By engaging with more Aboriginal businesses, the government can make a real difference in tackling long-term unemployment, empowering Indigenous communities and removing the socio-economic obstacles faced by many Aboriginal people,” he said. Mr Watson also said the government need to introduce stricter rules to stamp out “black cladding,” a practice where non-Indigenous businesses represent themselves as Aboriginal to unfairly secure contracts.