One of Australia's leading construction companies has set up a database to make it easier for First Nations businesses to tender for work on large-scale infrastructure projects.
To coincide with National Reconciliation Week, CPB Contractors has launched the Aboriginal Business and Social Enterprise (ABSE) internal database of Indigenous-identified businesses and a "playbook" to encourage more Indigenous and social enterprises into its supply chain.
CPB Contractors group manager for Indigenous and Social Inclusion, Sharon Gray said, with over 500 accredited First Nations businesses listed on the database, it would set a new standard for enabling access, engagement, and the procurement of accredited Indigenous-owned and managed businesses.
"As our country's leading contractor and with up to 60 projects across regional and metro areas, we see it as our responsibility to not only support Indigenous-owned businesses by procuring their goods or services, but to also recognise the influence and impact these businesses can have on employment, community engagement, building capacity, and supporting progress and productivity in the regions in which we work," she said.
Of the $4.1 billion in contracts or services awarded to Supply Nation-certified and registered businesses in the last financial year, CPB contributed just under three per cent.
The First Nations economy generates around $16.1 billion in revenue, employs 116,795 people and pays $4.2 billion in wages according to the Indigenous Business and Corporation Snapshot Study 3.0.
Ms Gray said this year's National Reconciliation Week theme, Now More Than Ever, was a stark reminder that we all need to connect and engage in the fight for Aboriginal rights and meaningful progress towards Reconciliation in Australia.
She said the database and playbook would ensure First Nations people and businesses shared in the opportunities that their work and projects provide.
"Engaging with a Tier 1 contractor like ours can often be a complex and daunting experience," she said.
"This playbook is an important resource to educate, guide and support First Nations-owned businesses, helping them to enter into supplier agreements and develop their own businesses to tender for major infrastructure projects.
"As the pipeline for infrastructure continues to grow, particularly in regional areas, it's important we do everything we can to ensure the economic and social benefits are passed on to the local communities and particularly our First Nations people."