Terms of Reference


Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs

Indigenous Businesses

The Committee shall inquire into and report on the existing opportunities and arrangements for encouraging sound Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander economic initiatives at the small and medium business level. In particular, the Committee will focus on:

  • the success of existing Commonwealth programs that help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (including those in joint ventures with non indigenous people) to aquire, control, and develop sustainable commercial opportunities;
  • possible future policy directions and administrative arrangements at the Commonwealth level to encourage indigenous commercial initiatives;
  • any barriers to the establishment, acquisition or development of indigenous controlled businesses or businesses in which indigenous people are joint venture partners; and
  • means of raising the profile of indigenous controlled businesses or businesses in which indigenous people are joint venture partners.

The Committee shall also consider State, Territory, corporate and international examples of good practice in encouraging sound indigenous economic initiatives at the small and medium business level.