Reconciliation Australia provided recommendations for the Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP) Reform Discussion Paper, which also mentions and supports Supply Nation’s response to the paper.
The role of Indigenous procurement in the economic development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses is also outlined as a positive driver for success through the aims of the Reconciliation Australia’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program to embed public commitments and targets.
Our recommendations focused on the need for reform to provide clear definitions and measures that accurately reflect the needs and aspirations of First Nations peoples.
- Strengthening the IPP definition of Indigenous businesses to be minimum 51% Indigenous-owned, operationally managed and controlled by Indigenous peoples, and demonstrate Indigenous economic benefit.
- The above recommendation should be supported by a verification process including audit, reviews and physical interviews.
- Targeted measures to increase direct benefit of female-owned Indigenous business in delivering government Indigenous procurement.
- Commonwealth government should integrate learning from the private sector regarding building and developing scale (particularly Stretch and Elevate RAP Partners partnered with Indigenous businesses).
- Consistent, nuanced measurement and evaluation of IPP outcomes to identify gaps and opportunities for underrepresented sectors and new entrants.
