The Federal Government has announced its  Bowen Basin Indigenous Mining Contractors initiative that aims to further Indigenous employment in the field.  

 

Resource companies in the Bowen Basin will develop an Indigenous industry network group with the support of the Federal Government to better engage Indigenous businesses and boost employment.

 

“Local Indigenous organisation First Enterprise will deliver the project and employ an economic and enterprise development manager and a liaison officer,” Federal Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Mark Arbib said.

 

“They will provide assistance and advice to mining companies and contractors on how to engage current Indigenous businesses within the region and provide expertise on how Indigenous businesses can remain competitive for work with the mining companies.

 

The program will aim to help businesses which tender for contracts with mining companies to navigate the range of legislative and business quality assurance measures they must meet before they are eligible to tender.

 

Senator for Queensland Jan McLucas said the Federal Government would provide $715,000 to the project.

 

Treasury has predicted 500,000 jobs would be created over the next two years and it was critical that Indigenous Australians had the support and training they needed to take up employment.

 

“Indigenous employment is not a short-term issue. Over the next four years the Australian Government has committed almost $650 million to the Indigenous Employment Program and $50 million to the Indigenous Youth Careers Pathway Program,” Senator Arbib said.