IPS will once again be attending Supply Nation Connect 2025, the flagship national summit for Indigenous businesses, held on 20–21 August 2025 on Gadigal Land, Sydney.

Connect 2025 brings together certified First Nations and Torres Strait Islander businesses with major corporate and government procurement buyers to foster partnerships, showcase services and enhance supplier diversity across Australia.

IPS has proudly been delivering services across Australia since int's inception in 2015, and it's continued national expansion comes amid sweeping reforms to the Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP), which aim to drive greater economic empowerment for First Nations enterprises. From July 1  2025, the Commonwealth’s Indigenous procurement target will rise from 2.5 per cent to 3 per cent of all contract value, climbing incrementally to 4 per cent by 2030.

New eligibility rules will also ensure that businesses accessing IPP-linked contracts are genuinely Indigenous-owned — requiring 51 per cent or more First Nations ownership and control, or registration as an Indigenous corporation, by 2026.

Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said the changes were about boosting genuine opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses while stamping out practices such as “black cladding,” where non-Indigenous companies exploit loopholes to access programs.

“The Albanese Labor Government is committed to increasing opportunities for First Nations businesses,” she said.

“First Nations businesses play a key role in advancing the economic empowerment and self-determination of First Nations people.”
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“These reforms, based on consultations with Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses, Chambers of Commerce and various levels of government, will create even more opportunities for First Nations businesses,” said McCarthy.

For IPS, a majority-female-owned and a Certified First Nations supplier, the changes strengthen its position.
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On top of its IPP eligibility, IPS can be directly engaged by agencies through Exemption 16 of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules — allowing unlimited direct contracts with Indigenous SMEs that demonstrate value for money — and Exemption 17, which permits direct SME engagements up to $500,000 without open tender.

In addition to being Supply Nation certified, IPS is one of just eight First Nations-owned businesses on the Australian Federal Government’s coveted Management Advisory Services (MAS) Panel, proudly providing services across Australia.
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“Being part of the MAS Panel signals to buyers that IPS is a proven and trusted partner,” said IPS Co-Founder, Katina Law.

“With the IPP reforms and rising Indigenous procurement targets, we’re well positioned to not only help government agencies meet their goals but deliver real outcomes.”

“Our goal at Connect 2025 is to showcase the breadth of our capability and demonstrate why working with IPS isn’t about compliance — it’s also about delivering innovation, value, and impact,” Katina said.
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As the IPP reforms take effect, IPS stands to be at the forefront of a federal procurement landscape that is increasingly focused on authentic partnerships, transparency, and the economic empowerment of First Nations businesses. 

Provided by the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification, the Local Capability Fund (LCF) provides small to medium-sized enterprises in Western Australia with access to funding to improve capacity and competitiveness.
​IPS Management Consultants can be engaged to provide consulting support for your organisation, with access to partial funding through the Local Capability Fund where applicable.

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The IPS Power & Innovation team are creative thinkers and strategists, working alongside organisations, businesses, and communities to unlock power and innovation. Economic equity grows from sovereignty, readiness and agency. We understand that power can be hard and soft and that complex systems require emergent, adaptive thinking. Relationships, trust, and deep listening are at the heart of how we engage - honouring First Nations ways of knowing, doing and being. By building on existing strengths, amplifying knowledge systems and strengthening governance, we can support individuals and organisations in cultivating readiness and increasing agency.
Strategy & Planning

• Strategic and business plans
• Economic and sector development strategies
• Values-led planning and facilitation

Feasibility and Investment Readiness

• Feasibility studies and option analysis
• Business cases and cost–benefit analysis
• Investment logic and funding readiness

A major Perth road infrastructure site became an unlikely backdrop for Aboriginal connection to Country on Friday morning, as construction workers briefly laid down their tools and site plans for a lesson on truth-telling.

IPS hosted a NAIDOC Week celebration at the Stephenson Avenue Extension project site office on Friday morning.

The occasion featured a powerful Welcome to Country and cultural session by Noongar language teacher, Jayden Boundry.

The interactive session explored local language, dreaming stories and the importance of truth-telling — all framed within this year’s NAIDOC theme of “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy – 50 Years of NAIDOC Week.”

“Today was a really special opportunity to celebrate NAIDOC Week here at the S2M Project office,” said IPS Executive Director and Noongar man, Cameron Wood.

“We had Jayden Boundry come out to share cultural knowledge, and we explored language, connection to Country, and the significance of NAIDOC."

"It was a chance to bring the team together — to connect over food and conversation and reflect on the importance of Aboriginal history and identity.”

The event was held at the office site of the Stephenson Avenue Extension infrastructure project, which is delivering a new connection from Cedric Street to Scarborough Beach Road.

The project includes an interchange at Mitchell Freeway with a southbound Smart Freeway on-ramp and new local road links to Ellen Stirling Boulevard — a critical piece of Perth’s transport puzzle aimed at easing congestion and improving access in the northern corridor.

As part of its partnership on the project, IPS provides end-to-end support across three pillars: Aboriginal Workforce Activations, Aboriginal Engagement, and Aboriginal Procurement.

In Workforce Activations, IPS supports culturally safe recruitment, employment programs and mentoring, while helping subcontractors meet Aboriginal participation targets.

In Engagement, the team works closely with Elders and cultural consultants to embed cultural awareness across the project.

Through Procurement, IPS connects contractors with Aboriginal businesses in construction, helping deliver real economic impact in line with the Indigenous Participation Policy (IPP).

“There are so many incredible Aboriginal businesses working in infrastructure,” Wood said.
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It’s been a privilege to help this project connect with them — and to support long-term, meaningful inclusion at every level.”

Jayden’s session highlighted the role of language in respect and reconciliation.

“I live for the day I walk into Bunnings or a coffee shop and hear someone greet me with ‘Kaya’ ('hello' in Noongar),” he told the team.

“Language is a part of our identity — it’s how we’ve spoken to country forever, and we should still be using it."

"It’s a simple way to show respect and grow together.”

He also spoke about the importance of truth-telling in building understanding and trust.

“If you went to school here, you probably didn’t learn much about the real history of this land,” he said.

“We learned about atrocities overseas but swept our own under the rug."

"We have to talk about what happened here so we can heal — that’s what truth-telling is.”

Jayden closed by sharing stories connected to the land, explaining how the footprints of spirit ancestors shaped country — and how those ancient song lines still influence the rhythms of place today.

“There are spots across this country where you just feel good — because they’ve been places of gathering, ceremony and healing for tens of thousands of years,” he said.

“When each of us brings our puzzle piece, we create something powerful together.”

Staff at IPS Management Consultants swapped their keyboards for paintbrushes today as part of a NAIDOC Week celebration that brought culture, creativity and community into focus.

The Aboriginal art session, led by respected Aboriginal Hall of Fame Artist Lesley Murray, alongside three other Aboriginal artists and storytellers, tied into this year’s NAIDOC Week theme — “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy – 50 Years of NAIDOC Week.”

“We’ve come together to make sure everyone has a positive experience with Aboriginal art,” Ms Murray said.

“This session was about finding togetherness and continuing our journey towards reconciliation.”

“The ultimate objective today was for everyone to reflect on their legacy — their connection to culture and what message they want to bring into the world for their family and community.”

NAIDOC, which stands for National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee, began as a movement in the 1930s, when Aboriginal leaders organised the Day of Mourning to protest the treatment and exclusion of First Nations people.
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By the 1970s, it had evolved into a week-long celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements, recognised across Australia.

At the IPS-led art session, the focus was on creative expression and cultural healing — a chance to pause and step away from technology to reconnect with self and story.

“I use art with my children — it’s where I can ground myself,” said IPS Aboriginal staff Shaquille McKenzie.

“It’s a way to get away from everything going on in life and just sit, reflect, and think about growing up and where I’ve come from.”

“I’m really enjoying it and loving the fact that we’re all doing this together.”

​The session explored the significance of art as a way of imparting knowledge around Aboriginal culture.

It also touched on the ongoing inter-generational trauma of the Stolen Generations and reflected on how art can serve as a healing and educational tool — fostering deeper connection, intergenerational dialogue, and cultural continuity.

“We only get one week a year to celebrate our culture, but we walk in our shoes every day,” said Ms Murray.

“Events like this help people reconnect — not just with culture, but with their inner child."

​"It helps us reset, cope better, and support our mental health.”

IPS Executive Director, Cameron Wood (above photo, left), a Noongar man, said the event was a valuable way to strengthen team bonding and deepen cultural awareness.

“We were very privileged to hear from some of our Elders,” he said.

“It was inspiring — not just to listen, but to express ourselves through art.”
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"It was a really powerful way of bringing the team together.”
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