Mark Arbib (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness) Share this | Hansard source

We are never going to close the gap on Indigenous employment unless we make ground on Indigenous businesses. Economic development is critical and crucial to making that happen. One of the things the government have done is to work with the not-for-profits and with corporations. We have invested $3 million in the Australian Indigenous Minority Supply Council, AIMSC, and they are making great ground. As at 31 December 2010, AIMSC had certified 67 Indigenous businesses and had attracted 54 corporates, which are some of the best names in Australian business world, and had also attracted a number of federal and state government departments. Already it has generated $4.4 million in contracts and $2.9 million in transactions between its members and certified suppliers. The best part about it is that 72 per cent of the employees of these new Indigenous businesses are Indigenous. (Time expired)