Page 64 - Australian Defence Magazine July-August 2022

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FROM THE SOURCE MATTHEW THEOHARUS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 63
JULY-AUGUST 2022 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
At HMAS Stirling and Henderson (NCIS-3) in WA, we are currently achieving 8.7 per cent in the First Nations procurement with more than $30 million in contracts let and 6.8% per cent FTE indigenous hours in the Delivery Phase (the target was a combined four per cent).
There has also been a focus on providing a culturally safe and inclusive workplace. We achieve this by working with Traditional Owners to create bespoke project-specific cul- tural awareness programs that enhance the knowledge of local Indigenous culture and history. This has been a valu- able and important step in this process.
ADM: Can you share an example of First Nations business engagement?
THEOHAROUS: ANWEST is a WA-based partitions subcon- tractor and family-owned business. We first engaged AN-
WEST in 2016 on the Campbell Barracks Redevelopment project to deliver the ceiling and portions package worth circa $2 million.
Since then, ANWEST has deepened its defence sector capabilities which has led to further involvement on other key defence projects, including on the Air Traffic Control Tower project, RAAF Base Pearce (on anoth- er major Defence Contract) and most recent- ly with Lendlease on the NCIS-3 project.
To maximise First Nations business engagement, we di- vide larger work packages on projects into smaller packages of work, creating multiple opportunities for businesses to develop their capabilities, expand on their experience and become further integrated into defence projects. Impor- tantly, this approach also allows for those smaller trades to upskill and grow their defence capability so they can posi- tion for larger work packages on future projects.
Our teams have led the engagement process through in- dustry briefings with the local chamber of commerce and industry bodies to help support indigenous companies ten- der for work.
There is also a strong focus building capability in re- gional locations, developing school-to-work
pathways and providing on-the-job learning opportunities, including Transition to Work
programs. This allows for local and regional job seekers to gain genuine entry into con- struction industry via the project. For many young people just starting out in their career, the long-term nature of some of our defence projects means they can start and finish their apprenticeship on the one project.
“THERE HAS ALSO BEEN
A FOCUS ON PROVIDING A CULTURALLY SAFE AND INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE”
On the Garden Island project in Sydney, the Lendlease and PSGH JV have achieved the eight per cent Indigenous participation target, including a spend of more than $10 million and the contribution of 35 First Nations suppliers on the project.
On the Tindal Stage 6 Redevelopment & KC –30A Proj- ect in the NT, we are currently achieving a 13.8 per cent Indigenous participation by people hours and 13.3 per cent of overall procurement let to Indigenous enterprises (the target was a combined four per cent).
The Government’s accelerated defence infrastructure program has enabled small family-owned businesses like ANWEST the opportunity to expand and diversify its port- folio from working within commercial markets to develop- ing a strong and competitive Defence sector capability.
Since ANWEST’s first Defence engagement on the
BELOW: Smoking Ceremony at Garden Island, NSW