So as part of the $1.1 billion remote housing infrastructure package,
it’s underpinned by developing local and regional Aboriginal businesses.
We are working with them to make sure they have all the business needs
and skills that they need to be able to deliver the program.
To tender successfully, to win the jobs, to employ local people and
continue to build the local economy for the community that they work in.
To see our countrymen creating something out of nothing, creating employment, where we can continue to grow.
It is important that the local Aboriginal enterprises are involved in it because
it’s about giving long term employment outcomes for those living in the communities.
Employment means that you’ve got money being spent back in the community.
Brings back self-esteem and pride.
We are a Central Australian, Aboriginal owned and run building and construction company
We operate all over the Territory and out into Western Australia and up into Queensland.
We have seven main business streams and we administer around 30 different grants
The construction and housing section of Bawinanga is a very prominent part.
So we did the recent Room to Breathe project in Gapuwiyak,
and with that project we peaked at 73% local Yolngu Aboriginal participation.
So that Aboriginal can be employed, be in their communities and
doing the work that is in their home towns.
Employment opportunities in a remote area are vital for the economy and also
for the wellbeing of our residence.
If you’ve got sustainable work then you have the employment, the training and the other things that come behind it.
It’s very important that ABEs are heavily involved in the delivery of works.
But it is also important to look at the ABE structure.
They need to be local traditional companies that are going to keep the money local and employ local people.
We need something to keep us going.
We’ve got to start somewhere and we’ve just got to start now.
