The Hon Lindsay Tanner MP, Minister for Finance and Deregulation, and Senator the Hon Mark Arbib, Minister for Employment Participation, recently announced the Indigenous Opportunities Policy, which will promote corporate social responsibility by encouraging business and industry to build their capacity to employ and train Indigenous Australians.

The Policy will require tenderers to develop an Indigenous Training, Employment and Supplier Plan as part of their tender application where expenditure is over $5 million ($6 million in construction) in a region with a significant Indigenous population. The policy will provide opportunities for Indigenous communities to engage in government projects delivered in their area.

Guidance on applying the Policy, including definitions and locations on where it applies will be made available through guidelines and the National Partnership Agreement on Indigenous Economic Participation website.

The Government is committed to halving the gap in Indigenous unemployment within a decade. Creating opportunities and resources for all Australians to participate in the country’s economic and community life is an integral element of the Government’s Social Inclusion strategy.

To find out more about how the Government is supporting indigenous employment and businesses through the new policy visit Minister Arbib’s media centre.

Read about the Government’s Social Inclusion Strategy in A Stronger, Fairer Australia.