Business bulletin: 16 May 2022

Aboriginal Business Enterprise, community-controlled organisations and Aboriginal Territorians will have a greater opportunity to participate in Northern Territory (NT) Government procurement activities under the inaugural Aboriginal Procurement Policy (APP).

The APP commences on 1 July 2022 and provides a step change on the advancement of Aboriginal employment and business opportunities through government contracting activities. Its purpose is to:

• maximise opportunities for certified Aboriginal business enterprises and Aboriginal Territorians to participate in, benefit from, and generate economic, social, cultural and environmental value through NT Government procurement activities;
• build Aboriginal business enterprise capacity and capability through joint ventures and partnerships with other Territory enterprises with industry experience and expertise.

Building the capability and capacity of Aboriginal businesses and increasing the economic participation of Aboriginal Territorians is critical to unlocking the full potential of the Northern Territory. It will grow the local economy, increase business and regional development and build the local Territory workforce.

NT Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN) CEO, Jerome Cubillo, has welcomed the move.

“This is the first time the Northern Territory Government has had an Aboriginal procurement policy, bringing us in line with national approach to Aboriginal procurement,” he said.

“The NTIBN is supportive of this proactive measure that creates visibility and direct opportunities for Aboriginal business enterprises across all levels of the Territory supply chain. We look forward to continuing to partner with the NT Government and local industry to close the gap.”

The APP introduces, for the first time, a target of 5% for both the number and the value of Northern Territory Government contracts awarded to an Aboriginal business enterprises.

The APP will apply to NT Government contracts with an estimated value of $15,000 or greater.

Transitional arrangements are available for up to 18 months through NTIBN for those existing Aboriginal businesses who are not yet certified by any of the 3 certifying bodies recognised by the policy

For further information about the Aboriginal Procurement Policy, go to the Office of Aboriginal Affairs website.

Preparations are well under way for a series of NASA rockets to be launched into space from the Northern Territory later this month.

Three scientific suborbital rockets will be launched between 26 June 2022 and 12 July 2022 from the Arnhem Space Centre, which is owned and run by Equatorial Launch Australia.

The head of the Australian Space Agency, Enrico Palermo, said the launch signals the growth of the sector.

“This is another great signal that Australia is go for launch - and will further cement our reputation as a nation that global space players want to do business with.

“The growth of launch related activities in Australia in helping to open up the full value chain of space activities, which will grow the sector and create new business and job opportunities here at home.”

This will be the first time NASA launches rockets from a commercial facility outside of the United States. There will be around 75 NASA personnel in Australia for the launches. The NASA mission will investigate heliophysics, astrophysics and planetary science phenomena only observable from the southern hemisphere.

The Arnhem Space Centre is located on the Dhupuma Plateau near Nhulunbuy, on the lands of the Gumatj people, who are the traditional custodians and landowners. Traditional Owners have been consulted as part of the approval process.

NASA has a ‘clean range’ policy, which means that everything involved in the launch is removed from the site. At the conclusion of the launch campaign, all spent motor cases and play loads will be recovered and returned to the United States.

Territory tradies can now get their official Northern Territory (NT) white card saved to their smartphone ‘wallet’ thanks to the Can-do Territory online services portal.

The online services portal is centralising business information and providing tracking and transparency to online applications processes.

Construction workers in the Territory are currently required to have an NT white card in order to work on a construction site. Workers must show their card as proof of training, or if asked by a principal contractor.

To enable the white cards to go digital, NT WorkSafe amended the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011.

Applicants will still receive a physical copy of the NT white card, however smartphones users can also opt in for a digital version of the NT white card that is delivered to their Apple or Google wallet.

NT Worksafe Director of Regulatory Reform, Chris Wicks, said the Territory is using technology to the advantage of tradies.

“There are discussions nationally about digitalising the white cards and it is exciting that this is a reality in the Territory.

“These changes do not compromise safety, and the strict training requirements to qualify for a white card in the Territory have not changed.”

In order to receive a NT white cards you must first undertake mandatory work health and safety delivered by an approved registered training organisation.

The Can-do Territory online services platform will expand over time, integrating more online applications making it easier for Territorians to access information, lodge and track online forms and transact digitally with the NT Government.

To find out more, go to the Can-do Territory website.

Making the switch to an electric vehicle (EV) has been made easier under a new Territory Government grant scheme.

From 1 July, grants of up to $1,000 for residents and $2,500 for businesses will be available for the purchase and installation of EV chargers. This grant will assist Territorians with approximately half the cost of a charger installation, and will increase the availability of chargers across the Territory.

As a further incentive, the Territory Government is waiving the stamp duty fees for the sale of plug-in electric vehicles up to $50,000 from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2027. This provides a saving of up to $1,500.

The registration fee will also be waivered when you register your EV providing an annual saving of $89. However, motor accidents compensation and third party insurance still applies.

Investing in electric vehicles and charging infrastructure supports the Territory’s target of net zero emissions by 2050, which is outlined in the EV strategy and implementation plan.

To view the Electric Vehicle Strategy and Implementation Plan, go to the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics website.

The Territory’s top tourism operators, accommodation providers, festival and events and industry suppliers still have time to nominate for this year’s Brolga Awards.

As the Northern Territory’s (NT) official tourism awards program, the Brolgas recognise and encourage tourism businesses that strive for excellence in all areas of their operations, with 25 national business categories.

Nominations for the awards are free, with a range of assistance offered to NT tourism operators to help with submissions.

Winners will go on to represent the NT at the Australian Tourism Awards.

At the recent Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, the NT was recognised with a silver and a bronze award. Katherine Outback Experience and Darwin Convention Centre both took out top honours with gold awards.

The 2022 Brolga Northern Territory Tourism Awards will be held on Saturday 12 November in Alice Springs. Nominations close 31 August and submissions are due 12 September 2022.

For more information and to nominate, go to the Tourism NT website.