The Queensland Government’s procurement from First Nations-owned businesses has increased by 36 per cent in a year. ‘

New data about goods and services provided to the state government says procurement from Indigenous vendors in 2021- 22 grew by $118 million compared to the previous financial year, with a total of 535 First Nations businesses supplying goods and services in 2021-22 worth about $440 million. 

“That includes 149 First Nations enterprises who did business with the Queensland government for the first time,” employment and small business minister Di Farmer said in a statement. 

Ms Farmer says that as the capability and capacity of First Nations businesses to meet government needs grows, their ability to serve the private sector is expanding too. 

“[This] increases opportunities for economic participation,” she said.

The government has been running its Queensland Indigenous (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Procurement Policy (QIPP) since 2017, designed to help businesses navigate tender processes.

Queensland’s minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships, Craig Crawford, says the policy is intended to engage more First Nations suppliers and create a “level playing field”.

“The government invests billions of dollars on a wide range of goods and services in our state every year, and it’s important that we invest those funds wisely,” the minister said.

“The value of a dollar goes far beyond the products or services that we buy – it’s an investment in local jobs, in local communities, in better services, and in strengthening business capacity.”