The WA Government has expanded its Aboriginal procurement policy. 

The new Aboriginal Procurement Policy includes an increase in contract award targets to Aboriginal businesses to four per cent by 2023-24.

The state says the policy has already seen a significant increase to contracts awarded by government to Aboriginal businesses and ongoing opportunities for an expanding Aboriginal business sector.

Between July 1, 2018 when the policy came into effect and December 31, 2020, 533 contracts totalling more than $379 million were awarded to Aboriginal businesses demonstrating the positive impact of the initiative.

To mark the new phase of the policy the Department of Finance commissioned artwork by YirraKurl, a Noongar Aboriginal business operated by Deborah Newenham-Coertse and Melissa Spillman.

The bespoke Aboriginal painting is a vibrant representation of the policy objectives and the economic opportunities it creates for Aboriginal communities.

The third Aboriginal Business Expo is being planned for late 2021 to continue to build connections between government and the Aboriginal business sector.

Details of the policy are accessible here.