The Australian Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (Indigenous Chamber) was founded in 2008 by Warren Mundine, Shane Phillips and George Newhouse. It also goes by the name of the Indigenous Chamber.
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The Indigenous Chamber is a not-for-profit organisation that has been established to promote and serve the interests of Indigenous business, supporting and facilitating Indigenous self-reliance and economic prosperity.
The Indigenous Chamber will maximise opportunities for Indigenous Australians by integrating Indigenous business endeavours into the Australian corporate landscape and will assist Indigenous Australians to face the challenges in establishing and running businesses.
Directors
Warren Mundine - Chairman/Director
George Newhouse - Director
Shane Phillips - Director
Mission
"To be Australia's peak Indigenous business organisation fostering collaboration between Australian Business, Industry and Indigenous Australia to identify and facilitate long-term, profitable and sustainable business opportunities in order to foster Indigenous prosperity and economic equity."
Objectives
The Indigenous Chamber's stated objectives are to:
These objectives are supported by a ‘best practice’ approach to business development and a commitment to encouraging robust governance and management procedures. Particular attention to business skills training and development with provision of support services to assist with contracting, accounting, marketing and international trade will underpin the aims and activities of Indigenous Chamber.
Momentous changes in the political and economic landscape both within Australia and globally provide opportunity for new concepts and approaches to Indigenous business enterprise. In particular, the last Australian mining boom as well as the challenges and opportunities created by Climate Change and Carbon Trading initiatives provide unprecedented opportunities for Indigenous Australia.
The solutions to Indigenous poverty are complex and they require a collaborative partnership between Indigenous communities, Corporate Australia and Government at all levels, but the opportunities for Indigenous enterprise that arise from the mining and resource industry, land management, tourism, forestry, agriculture and business generally are exceptional.
The Chamber recognises that these opportunities can provide a sustainable economic base for indigenous enterprise and employment based on the triumvirate of Land, Resources and People whilst respecting traditional customs, custodianship and sustainable exploitation and management of Indigenous land. Indigenous business also requires the commercial framework in which to foster and grow and economic independence requires robust structures, national unity and governance that respects the cultural and societal complexities of Indigenous Australia.
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The Indigenous Chamber has recently established a jobs board; indigenousjobsaustralia.com.au to bring together Indigenous workers and employers.
The Indigenous Chamber hosts an annual business award for Indigenous Businessmen and Businesswomen as well as for Mentors who assist Indigenous enterprise.
The chamber has made numerous submissions to the Australian Government on business and economic issues.