A
new flood recovery program by the Albanese and Cook Governments will support
more opportunities for First Nations businesses and workers to get involved
with recovery efforts, following record flooding in Western Australia's
Kimberley region last year.
Jointly funded
through
the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), the Aboriginal and Local Business Participation in Recovery Programwill help
increase the participation of Aboriginal-owned businesses and workers to
undertake recovery and reconstruction works, by boosting employment and
training opportunities.
The program
will include funding to deliver business support and a grants program for
existing small businesses and sole traders that are either Aboriginal-owned or
employ First Nations people. Support also extends to start-ups and businesses
that wish to expand operations.
Funding will also be
provided for employment support and services that help connect contractors with
local Aboriginal businesses and workers and enable them to participate in the
opportunities created by flood recovery activities.
Grants to help cover
non-capital business costs, such as insurance, business accreditation and
training, as well as purchase of specialist assets or items to undertake
recovery works delivery, will also be available.
The program will be
delivered by the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Labor Senator and Special Envoy for Disaster Recovery Tony Sheldon said the program ensured local knowledge, expertise and initiatives would be
incorporated in flood recovery activities across the region.
"This
program is about ensuring that local businesses and workers are supported to
undertake the work that's needed to continue recovery, while giving them an
opportunity to grow," Senator Sheldon said.
"First
Nations people have thousands of years of local land knowledge and I commend
some of the great work Aboriginal-owned Prescribed Body Corporates are already
doing to facilitate community engagement, advocacy and cultural navigation
services.
"We're
proud to create some really positive, long-term outcomes for the community and
the local economy through this program following the record-breaking floods
that caused so much damage and disruption."
Western Australian Emergency Services Minister
Stephen Dawson said the significant investment occurring in support of
recovery and reconstruction programs and projects provided real opportunities
to increase economic participation for Aboriginal businesses and workers.
"Since
the floods, recovery works and activities have already delivered tangible
opportunities for local Aboriginal businesses and workers," Minister Dawson
said.
"We've already seen fantastic
outcomes from projects like the construction of the new Fitzroy River Bridge
which employed 150 local Aboriginal workers, with over$11 million committed to Aboriginal-owned businesses in the
Fitzroy Valley.
"It's important that we
continue to build on those outcomes in the housing and road repair and
reconstruction works and deliver long term benefits to the community by
expanding local Aboriginal business capacity and capability and building the experience
and skills of the Aboriginal workforce."
