The Western Australian Government has committed $250,000 towards expanding the capacity of indigenous businesses in the Goldfields-Esperance region.
The funding will be deployed under the government’s Aboriginal Business Leadership Initiative, for its first return since the 2018-19 program.
An experienced Aboriginal service provider will lead the 2025-26 program, as decided by the Department of Primary industries and Regional Development and the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission.
The program is a tailored learning experience that aims to meet the needs of Indigenous leaders and businesses to develop leadership skills.
The government has supported 72 Aboriginal start-up businesses in the Mid West, Goldfields-Esperance, Wheatbelt, Great Southern, South West, and Gascoyne regions in Western Australia since its first delivery in 2017.
Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson says this initiative focuses on building leadership skills within the Aboriginal community in hopes of benefiting indigenous business leaders.
“There is strong demand for the program model given its flexibility to deliver bespoke regional models and the unique inclusion of six months ongoing personal leadership and business development mentorship for participants,” Dawson says.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch says the government is keen to help further develop Aboriginal businesses within the Goldfields-Esperance region.
“The Aboriginal Business Leadership Initiative has been successful in helping to build Aboriginal business leaders’ skills, knowledge and networks,” Punch says.
The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia’s (CME) Diversity and Inclusion report notes a 3% increase of Indigenous peoples in management roles in 2024, indicating a 2.1% increase since 2021.
The CME aims to administer increased trust, cultural safety, and mutually beneficial partnerships between the resources sector and Indigenous Australians, fostering an environment that supports their integration into these roles.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
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