Over $5 billion spent with First Nations suppliers since 2015: Defence

Defence says it has set a new benchmark, topping $5 billion worth of contracts with First Nations businesses under the Indigenous Procurement Policy, equal to about half of the overall $10 billion Commonwealth spend to date under the policy. 

In a statement on Wednesday, the department — marking Indigenous Business Month in October under the theme of “Making our Mark” — said that it exceeded targets assigned by the National Indigenous Australians Agency.

It counted more than 1,180 First Nations businesses engaged with, and more than across more than 25,100 Defence contracts since 2015.

Defence Indigenous Champion and Deputy Secretary Security and Estate Celia Perkins said defence had helped to close the gap by partnering with First Nations businesses.

“We know that First Nations businesses are 100 times more likely to employ First Nations people than non-First Nations businesses,” said Perkins. 

“By purchasing from First Nations businesses, Defence has been supporting efforts to build a self-sustaining First Nations business sector, where First Nation Australians are able to drive their own economic futures.”

Deputy Secretary Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG), Chris Deeble, added that, “The Indigenous Procurement Policy stimulates entrepreneurship and supports both business and economic development for First Nations businesses, as well as increases diversity within Defence’s supply chains.”

The Indigenous Procurement Policy was established in 2015, and sets annual targets for the volume and value of contracts by the Commonwealth and each portfolio, a Mandatory Set Aside, and applies to contracts wholly delivered in Australia valued at $7.5 million or more across 19 industries.

Picture: credit Defence