‘First of its kind’ Aboriginal business hub launches in Tasmania

Callan Morse – August 12, 2024

Aboriginal businesses in Tasmania are set to be better supported following the launch of the Palawa Business Hub.

A first of its kind in the state, the Hub, which was officially launched last Friday, has been established to offer a single point of contact for First Nations businesses, entrepreneurs and community leaders to access business advice and support to start-up, sustain or grow their business.

Since its establishment in February this year, the Hub has assisted more than 50 local community members and families by offering coordinated, timely and culturally appropriate support and advice.

Leah Brown, a social entrepreneur who is behind the project, said the launch of the Hub was a landmark day for First Nations businesses and the Aboriginal community in Tasmania.

“We have been passionately pushing for the development of a collaborative business facility for First Nations businesses large and small; emerging businesses and entrepreneurs and the broader business sector who are looking to partner with First Nations businesses,” Ms Brown said.

“This Hub will change the lives of many First Nations people, and it will be a place for First Nations businesses, service providers and Government to work together to support the growth and development of Aboriginal businesses in Lutruwita.”

In addition to providing culturally appropriate business support services, the Hub also aims to assist current and future Tasmanian Aboriginal business owners and entrepreneurs by providing education opportunities about government procurement frameworks, access to economic participation opportunities, access to capacity building and peer mentoring activities and participation in cross-industry information, educational and networking events.

The Hub has also created an Aboriginal Business Directory – a first for Tasmania – forming a database of more than 30 local Indigenous businesses in recent months.

Ms Brown said the Hub’s vision aligns with both federal and state government targets.

“Projects like this align with the Prime Minister’s recent commitments to ensuring government investment drives engagement between businesses and Aboriginal people by lifting investment in Aboriginal businesses and employers to maximise local jobs and long-term benefit,” she said.

“It also aligns with the Tasmanian Government’s 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, focussed on job creation and the Buy Local Policy.”

The Palawa Business Hub is supported by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), Tasmanian Government, Relationships Australia, University of Tasmania, Riawunna Centre of Education and the City of Hobart.

More information about the Palawa Business Hub can be found online.