I’ve Had a Lot of Questions About the Changes to the Indigenous Procurement Policy.

Here’s My Take.

Over the past week, I’ve had quite a few people reach out asking what I think about the recent changes to the Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP).

The honest answer is… I think they’re a positive step.

The IPP has played a significant role in creating opportunities for First Nations businesses over the past decade. It has opened doors, created employment and helped build a stronger First Nations business sector.

Like any successful policy, however, it should continue to evolve.

From my perspective, the recent changes are really about one thing—protecting the integrity of the policy.

If government is investing public money to create First Nations economic participation, then it’s reasonable that there are clear rules to ensure those benefits genuinely flow to First Nations people.

That protects the credibility of the policy.

It protects genuine businesses.

And it protects the confidence that government and corporate Australia have built over many years.

I also understand that change creates uncertainty.

Some businesses will need to review their structures.

Some procurement teams will need to better understand the new requirements.

Some organisations will have questions about what it all means.

That’s completely understandable.

But rather than seeing these changes as a setback, I think we should see them as an opportunity to strengthen what has already been a very successful policy.

The conversation now shouldn’t be about whether the IPP works.

I think it has already proven that it does.

The conversation should be about how we continue creating more First Nations businesses, more employment, more capability and more long-term economic opportunity.

If we keep that as the focus, then I believe the next chapter of the IPP can be even more successful than the first.

Those are just my thoughts.

I’d be interested to hear how others in procurement, government and the First Nations business community see these changes and what they think the future of the IPP should look like.