Indigenous procurement partnership announced at Nyoongar wealth creation event
Industry Capability Network WA and the Indigenous Business Integrity Register have formalised a partnership to introduce an independent, academically reviewed business verification into ICN WA’s Aboriginal Business Directory (ABDWA), part of the Gateway by ICN procurement ecosystem.
Announced as part of the proceedings at MARNDA – Nyoongar Gathering hosted by Indigenous Business Council (IBC), the partnership will enable Indigenous businesses to participate in a proprietary IBIR dual flow verification process designed to strengthen their verification status amidst mounting concerns around Indigenous misrepresentation in business, known as black cladding.
Gateway by ICN is Australia and New Zealand’s most powerful supply chain and capability matching network, used widely by government and private sectors with thousands of suppliers across the country. Gateway by ICN facilitates significant procurement activity across Australia and New Zealand.
Helping to address challenges
In 2025, contracts valued at US $24.8m were won through the platform. With over 1,160 Aboriginal businesses listed on ABDWA from a broader ICN database of 3,880, the platform represents a critical pathway for Indigenous economic participation, one where procurement integrity is essential.
Head of ICN WA, Ray Loh, said the organisation has a responsibility to address an important issue affecting First Nations businesses, as well as its corporate and government procurement partners.
“ABDWA is proud to be a trusted partner that drives millions of dollars in procurement each year. However, recent developments within the sector are prompting an important moment for reflection,” Loh said.
“Practices such as black cladding not only divert opportunities away from genuine Indigenous businesses, they can also undermine the integrity of the data that corporates rely on for ESG reporting – ultimately impacting confidence in the procurement ecosystem.” – RAY LOH
“The ICN WA and IBIR partnership is designed to help address these challenges in a constructive way. It represents an important step forward, with a supply chain platform using its influence to strengthen transparency and support more authentic engagement. We believe this is a positive direction for the sector moving ahead.”
Verification system
IBIR was founded by Nyoongar businessman, Gerry Matera, and the Indigenous Business Council (IBC), a not-for-profit organisation is chaired by Former Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt.
The IBIR says its system comprises a dual-workflow process that combines CPA structural scrutiny with Elder-guided cultural legitimacy to deliver verification.
The system is built on the academically reviewed Indigenous Business Operational Standard (IBOS 0103), IBIR’s proprietary framework for verifying the cultural, structural and financial integrity of Indigenous businesses, which is currently advancing through Standards Australia and ISO accreditation pathways in partnership with Monash University’s Masters of Indigenous Business Leadership , and under the leadership of globally recognised business ethics expert, Professor Mayowa Babalola.
“The issue of black cladding has reached an inflection point where it serves no one and does more damage to the very businesses that policies and initiatives exist to serve. We all want a future where First Nations people build genuine capability and compete on a level playing field. This can only occur when integrity, grounded in community values and ethics, is central to business procurement,” Mr Matera said.
Shift in business procedures
“ICN WA has recognised the need for stronger verification measures, and their leadership will be significant in advancing the Indigenous business sector.”
IBIR verification will form part of a seamless integration with the ABDWA online onboarding process. All IBIR-verified business profiles will display an IBIR badge in the ICN Gateway directory and will be listed as verified in the IBIR website directory. IBIR audits will be offered free of charge to ICN Gateway members.
Mr Wyatt, a former Minister for Indigenous Australians, believes a partnership of this nature signals a shift in how First Nations peoples conduct business worldwide.
“The ICN WA / IBIR partnership is an important step towards economic self-determination and wealth creation for First Nations peoples in Australia. It is also a timely initiative that will have a far-reaching impact,” he said.
“More importantly, it sets a precedent for Indigenous communities across the globe who face similar issues in procurement integrity. In this vein, I believe the world will be watching Australia take leadership on the matter.”
The partnership was announced at the MARNDA (Nyoongar Gathering) in Perth that discussed the vision behind Nyoongar2050 ; a community-driven wealth strategy and framework for every Nyoongar family to share in the wealth generated on Nyoongar Boodjar (Country).
