Indigenous business owners and operators in Toowoomba will be given the opportunity to have their say on what they need to grow and shine in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said this was the focus of a series of yarns and other events being held throughout Queensland during October as the nation celebrates Indigenous Business Month.
"The Palaszczuk Government has set a 10-year goal to foster and encourage Indigenous business across the state in the lead up to 2032 Olympics," Minister Farmer said.
"We want to ensure Indigenous businesses are best positioned to take advantage of this once in a lifetime event and can tap into opportunities to supply their goods and services pre and post the Games.
"Indigenous Business Month is a great way for Indigenous business owners and intenders to talk about their business, source information, and most importantly collaborate so they can make plans to grow.
"It is our intention that Indigenous businesses in Queensland, particularly potential government suppliers, will be given every opportunity to thrive in the lead up to Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
"Indigenous Business Month is a great chance to highlight the important role Indigenous businesses play in the Queensland economy.
"Collectively Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses contribute more than $1 billion a year to the national economy, with revenues growing on average at 12.5 per cent annually.
"Backing small business is at the heart of our COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan, and indigenous businesses play a vital role in that."
The Toowoomba region will host several events with the focus on hearing from local Indigenous business operators and connecting them with opportunities to prepare to supply to the Games.
- 14 October Q&A session and TSBE Enterprise Evening, Roma Explorers Inn
- 20 October Connecting with an Expert and Yarning2032, Oaks Hotel Toowoomba
- 23 October Indigenous Artisans Market, Empire Theatre Toowoomba
- 26 October Embracing Disability in Aboriginal Communities, Jack Martin Centre Toowoomba.
Yarning2032 events are important face to face engagement opportunities for Indigenous business owners who currently are or wish to supply to Government, to learn more and have their say on what support they need to connect with opportunities.
"Our Connecting with an Expert and Yarning2032 event at the Oaks Hotel on October 20 will ensure the broadest and diverse views are captured for action," Minister Farmer said.
"The Yarning2032 discussions will inform activities over the coming years to support Indigenous businesses to grow in readiness for the Games.
"Yarning2032 has been developed with members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Business and Innovation Reference Group who are outstanding entrepreneurs, business leaders and researchers who provide strategic advice to government on matters that impact First Nations communities."
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford said the Queensland Government was delivering several events during Indigenous Business Month to get the conversation started.
"Indigenous Business Month is a golden opportunity for Indigenous businesses to find out how to secure additional contracts, achieve greater representation in supply chains, and to encourage more Indigenous businesses to consider providing services to Government," Minister Crawford said.
"We are taking every opportunity to provide all the support required so they can grow in capability, capacity and in number.
"The 2032 Olympics will be a very special opportunity to showcase our state's smartest, most creative and talented Indigenous businesses to the world.
"This strategic focus will ensure that beyond 2032, Indigenous businesses have a solid impact on the local economy and have created a positive impression globally," Minister Crawford said.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Business and Innovation Reference Group (BIRG) member Leesa Watego said Indigenous Business month highlighted the importance of sharing key business knowledge.
"Building a business takes time. Starting the yarn now gives everyone an opportunity to build, learn, and iterate their business idea," Ms Watego said.
"Indigenous Business Month is a wonderful catalyst to start talking about 2032 and the opportunities the Games may bring to Queensland."
October marks the 7th annual National Indigenous Business Month.
The initiative was co-founded and is run each year by Dr Michelle Evans of Melbourne Business School, Ms Mayrah Sonter of 33 Creative and Ms Leesa Watego of Iscariot Media.
