The Western Australian (WA) Government plans to award A$1 billion of infrastructure and transport-related contracts to Aboriginal businesses by 2031 to support greater indigenous economic participation.
It also wants to ensure that Aboriginal labour accounts for 5% of direct hours worked on Government infrastructure and transport projects, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch said in a recent statement.
“[The targets are about] creating real job opportunities, building skills, and supporting long-term career pathways for Aboriginal peoples in Western Australia,” Saffioti said. “[They support] practical outcomes that build capability, employment and long-term economic independence for Aboriginal people and communities,” Punch added.
The Government awarded A$442 million of contracts – across all areas – to Aboriginal businesses in the 2024-25 fiscal year, up from A$439 million in 2023-24, data from WA’s Department of Treasury and Finance (WADTF) show. Aboriginal suppliers won 6.82% of Government contracts over the year, WADTF data show.
WA’s Aboriginal procurement targets come weeks after the Government launched a review into the state’s Procurement Act to increase support for local businesses and jobs. “Government purchasing is one of the most powerful tools we have to support local jobs and grow local industry,” Premier Roger Cook said on 10 September.
“The [review] will cover all areas of State Government procurement, [but] specific-sector feedback is more than welcome,” a Government spokesperson told Lithos on 10 September. WA’s Department of Treasury and Finance has opened a weeks-long, two-part consultation process as part of the review.
The Government spent A$16.2 billion on procurement in the 2024-25 fiscal year, up 36% from 2023-24, according to tender monitor Awarded Tenders. It prioritises regional suppliers by discounting their offers when judging competing tenders under its WA Buy Local scheme.
By Avinash Govind