Meet the Transport Portfolio Aboriginal Engagement Team
In July 2022 Dennis Kickett, Acting Director Aboriginal Engagement was tasked with working with the Transport Portfolio agencies to deliver the State Government’s Aboriginal participation targets.
Establishing the Transport Portfolio Aboriginal Engagement Transport team has been a significant achievement, harnessing strengths from across the Portfolio to foster Aboriginal economic participation and promoting cultural recognition across our own workplaces and into the wider community. Across the Portfolio there is an ongoing and strong focus on local employment and Aboriginal engagement, with a five-year target to award $700 million in contracts to Aboriginal businesses and facilitate Aboriginal workers to complete 3.5 million work hours through capital works, services and maintenance programs across the Portfolio.
The Transport Portfolio Aboriginal Engagement team has expanded to create a centre of Aboriginal engagement excellence and to consolidate best practice. The team works across the Portfolio and has been structured based on three teams that leverage specialist roles including:
The Projects and Participation team focusses on advancing employment and contracting opportunities within our construction projects across the State.
They provide strategic advice to over 30 major road and rail projects and guidance to the Regional Aboriginal Stakeholder Engagement Advisors, who drive Aboriginal engagement and procurement locally.
Our People and Culture team are focused on achieving outcomes related to the Gnarla Biddi Strategy for Aboriginal Engagement, undertaking stakeholder engagement; monitoring, supporting, and advising on business procurement. The team also monitor, advise and report on spend for indirect employment of Aboriginal people on road and rail projects. In addition, the team are responsible for communication strategies and materials and enhancing cross-portfolio relationships.
The Business Management and Systems team are responsible for the Aboriginal Business Directory and Stakeholder Engagement including managing the Aboriginal participation dashboard.
The team are excited to be creating unique opportunities that will assist Aboriginal businesses in enhancing their capability and sustainability for future generations. This will be further strengthened by our second Meet the Buyer and Supplier Forum to be held later in the year.
