EY Australia unveils Office of First Nations Engagement

EY Australia has announced its mission to support indigenous affairs intelligence and raise cultural awareness with the opening of the Office of First Nations Engagement.

The firm said the office would work to drive cultural intelligence and indigenous affairs services for clients by working with existing indigenous suppliers through Supply Nation and other indigenous chambers of commerce across the country.

David Larocca, EY regional managing partner and CEO Oceania, said EY Australia was committed to actively working towards making an impact to ‘close the gap’ through economic empowerment.

“Australian businesses are increasingly focused on competitive advantage, which can be enhanced by innovative approaches to supplier diversity,” he said.

“By bringing innovative supply chain solutions to clients across the country – in partnership with First Nations Businesses – we’re confident that we can drive greater opportunities, commercial advantage and economic empowerment in the community.”

Larocca added that the firm was also committed to working with First Nations businesses and meeting client requirements in collaboration with these enterprises.

EY Australia said it has maintained an Indigenous affairs offering since 2015, in response to the growing need for First Nations businesses in supply chains as part of reconciliation action plans.

Norman Laing (Dunghutti), managing partner of the Office of First Nations Engagement, echoed the statement that the intention of the office was to contribute to Closing the Gap through economic empowerment and independence.

“We will do so by meaningfully and commercially engaging with external First Nations businesses. We are not passive; we actively support First Nations businesses, share our success with them, and assist them in making inter-generational changes throughout the community,” he said.

“Traditionally under-represented businesses require opportunities to change entrenched organisational and commercial practices. By working with organisations like Supply Nation we can accelerate these opportunities and support the economic empowerment of the First Nations business community.”

In addition to this, EY Australia said it would focus on further expanding its network of First Nations suppliers alongside Supply Nation and other Indigenous Chambers of Commerce.

Supply Nation CEO Kate Russell (Awabakal) commented on EY Australia’s shift to an external First Nations engagement model.

“By empowering Indigenous-owned and operated businesses to actively participate in commercial client engagements, EY Australia is proactively encouraging supplier diversity in procurement and supply chains,” she said.

“This encourages competition and adds value to the business. It is an innovative approach, as rather than simply hiring Indigenous talent to service clients, EY is empowering local entrepreneurship and supporting the broader economic impact of First Nations businesses which leads to greater prosperity for all.”