Minor technical tweaks by government can drive big changes, which is why including the economic benefits of First Nations culture into NSW budgeting is a game-changer.
Small changes can make a big difference in government. In the financial year before prime minister Tony Abbott introduced procurement quotas for First Nations businesses in 2015, Defence wrote contracts with Indigenous companies worth a grand total of $1820.
This week, Defence announced it had just exceeded $5 billion in contracts with First Nations businesses under the Indigenous Procurement Policy. That is about half the $10 billion Commonwealth spend directed at First Nations enterprises in less than a decade – a stunning turnaround.
Loading...
Tom Burton has held senior editorial and publishing roles with The Mandarin, The Sydney Morning Herald and as Canberra bureau chief for The Australian Financial Review. He has won three Walkley awards. Connect with Tom on Twitter. Email Tom at tom.burton@afr.com
