Combating Black Cladding: Cain Slater and Ray Hadley Push for Change

Recently, I had the honor of engaging in an insightful conversation with a good mate Ray Hadley on the renowned 2GB morning show. We delved into a pressing issue that has long plagued the indigenous community – the insidious practice of black cladding, where non-Aboriginal businesses falsely claim indigenous heritage to gain unfair advantages. Amidst this grave concern, KARI Aboriginal Procurement has emerged as a beacon of hope, collaborating with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to eradicate this unjust practice and pave the way for a more equitable future.

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Black cladding, or the misrepresentation of non-Aboriginal businesses as indigenous, has cast a shadow over the efforts to uplift and empower Aboriginal businesses. By falsely portraying themselves as indigenous-owned, these entities secure preferential treatment in procurement processes meant to benefit the Aboriginal community, thus undermining the purpose of these initiatives. This unethical practice not only deprives genuine Aboriginal businesses of opportunities but also perpetuates historical injustices and inequalities.

At the forefront of the fight against black cladding is KARI Aboriginal Procurement, a leading organization dedicated to promoting and supporting Aboriginal businesses across various industries. KARI stands for Keeping Aboriginal Rights in Business and their mission revolves around creating a level playing field for indigenous enterprises.

The conversation between Ray Hadley and I on the 2GB morning show sheds light on a crucial issue that has long plagued the Aboriginal community – black cladding. Through the efforts of KARI Aboriginal Procurement and their partnership with UTS, a promising path towards eliminating this unethical practice has been forged. This collaboration serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that by uniting our efforts and standing against injustice, we can pave the way for a more equitable and prosperous future for all Australians. Together, we can dismantle the barriers of black cladding and embrace a brighter tomorrow, where the genuine contributions of Aboriginal businesses are rightfully recognised and celebrated.