Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network chief executive Naomi Anstess has called for stronger integrity standards, greater equity, and Indigenous-led partnerships across Australia's business sector, speaking before national delegates at the AEMEE Conference in Darwin.

"We all want to be in the equity stakes," she told the packed room. "Because the equity stakes are where the real money is."

Anstess said the next stage of Indigenous business growth must focus on capability, authenticity, and long-term ownership.

"We need a minimum benchmark for mob to access preferred procurement pathways, select tenders, and opportunities that others can't. That's how we keep integrity in the system."

Under Anstess's leadership, NTIBN has become one of the largest Indigenous business networks in Australia, representing more than 460 certified enterprises with a combined turnover of around $3 billion.

She reaffirmed that Aboriginal business certification must uphold standards protecting cultural identity and community benefit.

"We have to have some level of safeguard. That's about keeping the mobs out who shouldn't be there," she said.

Anstess also spoke of issues around identity fraud, where non-Aboriginal people have claimed Indigenous ancestry to benefit from Indigenous Procurement Policies.

"We can love you. We can embrace you. We can call you our family," she said.

"But please don't come and line up for the benefits. Be an enabler. Be a supporter. Be part of the family that way."

Her comments on Indigeneity and proof of heritage were direct.

"The three core principles of Indigeneity are DNA: declare, nation, accept," she said.

"If you don't pass go, you can't collect $200."

While acknowledging the growing discussion around equity participation in major projects, Anstess said majority Indigenous ownership remains the foundation of self-determination.

"Ten per cent of a bazillion might be better than 51 per cent of ten dollars," she said.

"But we still need majority ownership as the minimum benchmark."

Turning to national coordination, Anstess said the newly formalised National Indigenous Business Chamber Alliance (NIBCA) was designed to strengthen collaboration between Indigenous business networks and ensure Aboriginal-led decision-making across regions.

"The chambers are owned by their members - owned by the Black business owners - and they decide where we go," she said.

"If we are not together, we cannot go. Unity is everything."

She announced that NTIBN had entered a partnership with AEMEE to advance collaboration in northern Australia.

"We've agreed to a partnership agreement," she said.

"We're going to in-kind support the work of AEMEE, drive membership, drive perspectives, get people involved, and collectively share stories so that we can all work together moving forward."

Anstess highlighted NTIBN's expanding membership base as evidence of the strength and scale of Aboriginal enterprise in the Territory.

"Our member base represents about $3 billion," she said.

"That's a lot of billions out of the $16 billion national turnover for Black business. We're proud of the impact that reaches out further. We're accelerating pathways and careers, and we're doing it in a way that's purely ours."

Her speech drew a direct link between economic empowerment and social outcomes.

"Prosperity is the freedom to choose," she said.

"When we have money, the government can't tell us. When we collectivise, the government can't tell us. Cash is king, because when you have cash, you can buy education, health, housing, and justice."

Anstess cited confronting statistics to underline the urgency of structural reform.

"Children under 14 in the NT spend an average of 157 days on remand," she said.

"In May, 44 new Aboriginal people were arrested every day. Why are they on remand? No money to pay for lawyer. And that is not acceptable to me."

Closing her address, Anstess challenged business and community leaders to continue building on the gains made in Indigenous enterprise.

"Today is the day you have to accept wanting to be a change agent," she said.

"You can say yes please or no thank you; but whatever you do, remember that it's your children your decisions will impact."

The address drew prolonged applause from delegates across government, industry, and community sectors.

NTIBN Treasurer Steven Dhu, CEO Nami Anstess and Chair Ray Pratt. Image: Supplied.

Leadership continuity and CEO recruitment

Anstess' appearance followed NTIBN's confirmation earlier this year that the Chief Executive Officer position has been publicly advertised as part of a transparent, merit-based recruitment process.

The decision, endorsed by the NTIBN Board in May, was made on Anstess's own recommendation to ensure long-term stability and strong governance.

Board Chair Raymond Pratt said the Board had "full confidence" in her leadership.

"Naomi has demonstrated the vision, the strength, and the leadership needed to take NTIBN into its next phase," he said.

"While the Board was prepared to directly appoint her, Naomi's insistence on running an open and transparent process shows the calibre of leader she is."

Anstess has confirmed she will apply for the permanent role. Under her direction, NTIBN continues to champion capability, procurement reform, and community-driven economic empowerment for Aboriginal businesses across the Territory.

"Together we are better. If we are in a network full of mob leading for mob and deciding for mob, we are going to do better," she said.