Procurement, property and security

An important reconciliation action we demonstrate is our commitment to close the gap through visible action such as supporting First Nations businesses to succeed. Since the formulation of CASA’s second Innovate RAP (2021 – 2023), our Finance Branch is proud to have made progress in our contribution, including the recognition of local Aboriginal culture through our office designs and increased procurement activity and contracts with Indigenous businesses.

Artwork

Our Property and Security team works with local CASA offices and staff to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through art and storytelling.

Darwin

Our Darwin-based team has displayed several screen prints of Indigenous artist works adjacent to the main meeting room. Local staff chose the prints with the selection of some works due to their resemblance to parts of aircraft. In 2022 we placed a large ‘Welcome to Larrakia Country’ engraved wooden plaque in the reception area of this office. This plaque was created by Larrakia Nation artists.

Brisbane

In consultation with Brisbane staff, we connected with local Indigenous artist, Dylan Sarra, who created ‘Sea Country Dreaming’. The continuous theme of an Aboriginal child learning and connecting with the environment inspired this piece.

Perth

In 2020, we worked with local staff to acquire ‘Swan River During Wet Season’ by Shane Henson for the Perth office fit out. This work is proudly on display in the office reception area and tells the story of the coming wet season.

Adelaide

In 2020, we liaised with South Australian staff and artist Kristian Coulthard to purchase ‘Wadna First Flight’. We proudly display this artwork in the Adelaide office on Country of the Kaurna people.. The lower half of the painting depicts the different contours of the earth and cultural groups while the top half represents the sky and wind.

Cairns

Cairns staff assisted to secure ‘Baral’ during a local indigenous arts festival. The work by Lila Creek is on display in the Cairns conference room. Our bubu (country) is like a storybook. Baral (tracks) tell you what animal is travelling around. Some of the tracks we see are from the kurriyala (snake), walkarr (lizard) and kadar (wallaby).

Canberra

In 2022 we purchased 3 pieces of artwork from the ACT Corrective Services detainee catalogue, and proudly display these pieces.

Meeting Rooms

We have named CASA meeting rooms to acknowledge First Nations people:

  • Cairns: Tjapukai Room (local traditional owners)
  • Brisbane: Len Waters Room (first Indigenous fighter pilot in WWII)
  • Adelaide: Kaurna Room (local traditional owners)
  • Perth: Wanju Room (local Nyoongar word for welcome).

The new Canberra office, which is expected to open in late 2023, will have several meeting rooms, collaboration spaces and Indigenous artworks that reflect CASA’s Indigenous connections.

Contracts and procurement

We support and promote the inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suppliers when conducting procurements and advocate for the economic and social wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with use of the Guidelines for the Application of the Indigenous Procurement Policy in CASA. We ensure CASA continues to raise awareness of Supply Nation and the Indigenous Procurement Policy to help staff develop commercial relationships with First Nations owned businesses and organisations.

Other focus areas include:

Indigenous Business Month

Indigenous Business Month is held in October each year to celebrate our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs and businesses achieving success around Australia. CASA invited Gunggandji Project Management Pty Ltd to present at an all-staff awareness session in October 2022 to promote Indigenous business and acknowledge that we all have a role to play in keeping the Indigenous business sector in Australia blossoming.

The guest speaker discussed alternative pathways for Indigenous people into technical employment opportunities. Over 110 staff attended, resulting in positive feedback and engagement. CASA looks forward to adding this event to our calendar each October.

Trade fair attendance

CASA regularly attends the Indigenous Business Trade fair run by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) and Supply Nation. It is a welcome opportunity for CASA to engage with Indigenous suppliers and maintain and further develop commercial relationships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander businesses.

Published date: 5 July 2023
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//reconciliation-action-plan-2023-2026/procurement-property-and-security
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