First Nations representatives will gather in Darwin today to share their ideas for driving Australia’s economic growth and productivity.
The event is the first of four First Nations roundtables hosted by the Minister for Indigenous Australians.
The forums will ensure that First Nations perspectives inform the broader national Economic Reform Roundtable to be held in Canberra later this month.
The gatherings will focus on approaches to improve productivity, enhance economic resilience and strengthen budget sustainability.
First Nations people have an important role to play in shaping Australia’s future prosperity.
The First Nations business sector contributes more than $16 billion to the economy, creates new jobs, and generates over $42.6 billion in social value every year.
The community-controlled sector is the third largest employer of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and plays a crucial role in regional economic development.
First Nations business leaders, academics, representatives from the community-controlled sector and peak organisations attending the roundtables will draw on their expertise and experiences to identify opportunities to boost Australia’s productivity and better ways for the Government to deliver services in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Minister for Indigenous Australians will also lead First Nations economic roundtables in Sydney on 7 August, Adelaide on 14 August and Brisbane on 15 August.
The meetings will bring together a broad range of First Nations people with a diverse range of experiences and perspectives relating to the First Nations economy.
Insights generated from these roundtables will inform the Treasurer’s Economic Reform Roundtable to be held at Parliament House in Canberra from 19 to 21 August.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
“First Nations businesses make a significant contribution to the Australian economy, in 2022 they contributed more than $16 billion to the national economy, employed over 116,000 people and paid $4.2 billion in wages.
“First Nations businesses and community-controlled sector organisations are leveraging contemporary skills and traditional knowledge. They bring a unique perspective to economic development – and harness opportunities across a range of endeavours.
“I’m very pleased we have this opportunity to hear the perspectives of First Nations people on ways to improve our nation’s economy and productivity.”