Last month, I spent some time in Fitzroy Crossing, a remote town where nearly 80% of the population is Aboriginal. Located 400 kilometres east of Broome, deep into the desert, and over 2,500 kilometres north of Perth, Fitzroy Crossing is as far away as driving from Sydney to Brisbane and back again.

In this small town, under the searing heat, we gathered for a job expo. The aim was simple: to come together and offer the people of Fitzroy Crossing and the wider valley community opportunities for jobs and a brighter future.

One of the businesses I own, Kolbang, an electrical construction services company, was among nearly 50 other businesses and agencies present. We were overwhelmed by the interest in this brighter future.

The story of Fitzroy Crossing reflects a broader narrative unfolding across our country: more and more Indigenous people are eager to work, start their own businesses, and employ each other. This represents a meaningful push toward economic independence, which is long overdue.

In the October edition of The Indigenous Business Review, which you can find printed and on the newsreader apps for The Australian, and The West Australian newspapers, you will read about Indigenous business leaders from across Australia who have achieved excellence, from the boardrooms of ASX-listed companies to those who have started small enterprises and grown them at an impressive pace.

As Australians, we should be proud of the progress our country is making because when Indigenous Australians thrive, our entire nation benefits. In October, we celebrate 10 years of Indigenous Business Month, and I hope this month brings you the opportunity to work with or buy from an Indigenous-owned business.

The progress we see today in places like Fitzroy Crossing is just the beginning. As more Indigenous businesses emerge and succeed, we are reminded that economic empowerment is not just about numbers or statistics; it is about people, culture, and community building a future together. So, let's continue to support, invest in, and celebrate Indigenous businesses—not just this month, but every day—because their success is integral to the success of our nation as a whole.