The NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris has announced a new Aboriginal Business Taskforce to lead the growth of the state’s Aboriginal business sector at the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce in Redfern.
NSW is unique in having a specific Closing the Gap priority reform that focuses on Aboriginal economic prosperity, jobs and nurturing business. The state government says this new taskforce has evolved out of that priority.
The taskforce members, the majority of whom identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, bring knowledge and experience for setting up and running Aboriginal businesses across the state.
Former Sydney Swans star and 2014 Australian of the Year Adam Goodes, now the CEO of the Indigenous Defence & Infrastructure Consortium, is one of eight appointees to the new NSW Government taskforce.
Mr Goodes is joined on the inaugural taskforce by Doug Delaney, Luke McIlroy-Ranga, Malinda Rutter, Melissa Fletcher, Phillip Usher, Sharon Winsor and Terri-Anne Daniel.
Key initiative
The new taskforce is a key initiative of the NSW Roadmap for Aboriginal Business Growth and the bi-annual Aboriginal Business Roundtables, to help ensure the voices of Aboriginal business owners and managers are heard by government.
Taskforce members will provide the NSW government with timely, strategic advice on the Aboriginal business sector and how it can be supported to grow.
This is crucial as research from the Federal Department of Industry, Science and Resources shows that for every $1 of revenue, certified Indigenous businesses create $4.41 of economic and social value. Aboriginal-owned businesses are also more likely to employ Aboriginal people which develops skills and experience within Aboriginal communities.
A recent report from the Dilin Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Leadership found that Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses across the country employ more than 116,000 people and generate revenue in excess of $16 billion annually.
The 2023 NSW Treasury First Nations Women’s Economic Participation Review found that First Nations businesses are about 100 times more likely to employ a First Nations Australian than non-Indigenous businesses.
Economic empowerment
Aboriginal Business Taskforce member Adam Goodes said, ‘The Indigenous businesses sector is the fastest growing business sector. Indigenous businesses are 100 per cent more likely to employ other Indigenous people, and they provide a huge amount of social and economic value for every dollar that is spent with them.
‘This Taskforce will advise the NSW government on how it can continue to support Indigenous businesses in NSW, so that the sector can continue to grow and support the wellbeing and prosperity of our people.’
The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said, ‘The NSW government recognises economic empowerment and business development are critical to the socio-economic growth of Aboriginal communities.
‘Through discussions it was clear the Aboriginal business sector wanted a strategy-focused group that can provide advice to government. We have now delivered on that commitment with the new Aboriginal Business Taskforce.
‘The taskforce is another step in NSW’s determination to lead the nation in pursuing economic prosperity as a key goal to close the gap for Aboriginal people.”
Minister for Small Business Steve Kamper said, ‘The NSW government is committed to removing barriers for small business owners at every stage of their journey and empowering the Aboriginal business sector to build and grow their business.
‘This taskforce will help ensure the voices of Aboriginal business owners and managers are heard by the NSW government.’
Who better to help Mob than Mob?
Aboriginal Business Taskforce member Terri-Anne Daniel said, ‘Being part of this taskforce is a real opportunity to ensure that Aboriginal business owners, like myself, have a direct line to government decision-makers. We bring lived experience of the real challenges, and because we are entrepreneurs, we bring bold solutions to the table.
‘When Aboriginal businesses thrive, communities thrive. We’re not just creating jobs; we’re fostering independence, self-determination, and long-term prosperity for our people. Who better to help Mob than Mob?’
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