Aboriginal Business Connect

247 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (27 September 2016). In reference to 2016-17 Budget Paper 4, volume 4, page 68—how many businesses are currently registered with Aboriginal Business Connect and what assistance is provided to these businesses after they have registered?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy): The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation has advised:

As at 3 April 2017, 74 South Australian Aboriginal businesses are registered and searchable on Aboriginal Business Connect, with an additional 35 business in the process of completing their registration.

In April 2016 two FTEs were appointed to the Office of the Industry Advocate as part of the Aboriginal Economic Participation through Procurement Project to liaise between businesses listed on Aboriginal Business Connect and government agencies, and ensure Aboriginal businesses have the capacity to take advantage of procurement opportunities by linking businesses to a range of supports.

Supports are offered according to the needs of individual businesses, and include, for example, the Office of the Industry Advocate's Meet the Buyer and Supplying to Government program.

The Aboriginal Economic Participation through Procurement Project has seen a 40% increase in the number of suitable Aboriginal owned businesses engaged by Industry Participation consultants over the last quarter. Presently 54 Aboriginal owned businesses providing goods and services suitable for procurement by state government agencies are actively account managed by the Office of the Industry Advocate. This will increase further with the reach into the regions by the Office of the Industry Advocate.

Of the 54 businesses, 38% have been referred for assistance to other state or federally funded government programs.