The ‘Stop Gammon Project’ – Black Cladding and Aboriginal Procurement Awareness Program is powered by Aboriginal Affairs NSW and the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce.
Addressing Black Cladding in Indigenous Business Practices
Black cladding, or “Blak Cladding,” is a term used to describe practices where companies superficially associate with Indigenous culture or businesses to meet procurement targets or comply with diversity policies, without genuinely engaging or benefiting Indigenous communities. This undermines the integrity of Indigenous businesses and misleads stakeholders, eroding trust and equity in the marketplace.
Understanding the Problem
Blak Cladding manifests in various ways, such as misrepresenting business ownership or overstating cultural affiliations to gain access to procurement opportunities intended for genuine Indigenous enterprises. Such practices often prioritize appearances over substance, resulting in limited real-world benefits for Indigenous communities. These actions not only distort fair competition but also hinder authentic Indigenous businesses from accessing opportunities designed to empower them.
The Stop Gammon Project
The ‘Stop Gammon Project’ – Black Cladding and Aboriginal Procurement Policy (APP) Awareness Project, tackles the practice of black cladding; where non-Indigenous businesses unfairly exploit procurement opportunities by misrepresenting the business as Indigenous owned and controlled. It raises awareness among procurement officers about the risks of engagement and equips them to prevent the practice. The project also focusses on the APP, the intent behind it and how it can be utilised in the buying process.
Through training and support resources, the project ensures that Aboriginal businesses can compete fairly and benefit from government procurement contracts under the APP.
Program Details:
Duration: July 2024 – June 2026
Who is this for:
- Indigenous Businesses who have experienced black cladding and buyers not understanding the Aboriginal Procurement Policy
- Government and Industry procurement professionals who have experienced black cladded businesses
- Government departments who would like to get a better understanding of black cladding and the Aboriginal Procurement Policy
- Private businesses and organisations who would like to get a better understanding of black cladding and the Aboriginal Procurement Policy
How to be involved:
If you are an Indigenous Business or Government department, Private Business or procurement professional who fits into one of the above we would love to hear from you.
Please complete the below questionnaire and we will be in contact.
You can also contact the NSWICC via [email protected] to learn more
This program is powered by the NSWICC and by Aboriginal Affairs NSW