Micro business opportunities for Indigenous people in Far North Queensland

Nineteen Indigenous Australians in Far North Queensland will receive support and mentoring to start their own micro businesses with support from the Australian Government’s Indigenous Employment Program.

Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Mark Arbib and Senator for Queensland Jan McLucas said the Nintiringanyi Cultural Training Centre Inc’s Micro Business Mentoring Project would assist participants in establishing and maintaining micro businesses in Cairns and the Torres Strait.

“This innovative project is empowering Indigenous people in Far North Queensland to start their own businesses,” Senator Arbib said.

“Sixteen participants have started the project and are currently being assisted in establishing micro businesses including cafes, retail and community stores, fabric importing, tackle supplies and crayfishing.

“The participants will receive ongoing support through personal coaching and mentoring and business-related workshops, and some participants are being supported to study advanced financial services.”

Senator McLucas said the Federal Government was providing $117,300 to Nintiringanyi, a Cairns based Indigenous-controlled, non-profit social enterprise, from the Indigenous Employment Program.

“The micro businesses established as a result of this program will provide ongoing economic opportunities for their owners,” Senator McLucas said.

“It is critical that Indigenous Australians have the support and training they need to take up business opportunities.

“Creating pathways like this to real jobs is a critical part of closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.”

Over the next four years the Australian Government has committed almost $650 million to the Indigenous Employment Program.

It is part of the Australian Government’s target to create more than 100,000 jobs for Indigenous Australians by 2018.