Research & Economic Governance
Resources, intelligence and tools to support integrity, sovereignty, and economic participation in Indigenous business.
Why IBIR Matters
Australia's Indigenous Procurement Policy directs over $13.5 billion in annual government contract spend toward First Nations businesses. The problem is structural: a significant proportion of entities receiving IPP-designated contracts are not genuinely Indigenous-owned or controlled.
Academic research (Eva, 2025; Palmer-Collard, 2026; Watson, 2026) confirms the integrity gap is not incidental. It is structural. Economic benefit intended for First Nations communities is captured by non-Indigenous interests. Genuine Indigenous businesses are excluded from contracts they should win. Corporate ESG obligations are met on paper while failing in practice.
IBIR exists because the market failed to self-correct. Independent integrity infrastructure is not optional — it is the prerequisite for a trusted, functioning Indigenous economy.
Integrity precedes economic participation.
Research & Reports
Download reports, guides and resources to support your understanding of Indigenous business integrity, procurement and governance.
GuideGuide on Strengthening Indigenous Procurement & Indigenous Business Integrity in Australia
Published: 30 October 2025
PolicyIndigenous Procurement Policy (IPP)
The primary purpose of the Indigenous Procurement Policy is to stimulate Indigenous entrepreneurship, business and economic development, providing First Nations people with more opportunities to participate in the economy.
ResearchStudy into the Indigenous procurement spending.
Based on freedom of information requests released by the National Indigenous Australians Agency – shows half of the $7 billion spent in the first eight years of the policy went to just 18 businesses.
ResearchWho defines success? A critical analysis of the Indigenous Procurement Policy in Australia
This paper analyses public procurement contract data on Indigenous-owned firms for the first 8 years of the IPP. Christian Eva, POLIS: The Centre for Social Policy Research, The Australian National University.
ResearchA Sovereign Wealth Creation Strategy
The Nyoongar 2050 Sovereign Wealth Creation Strategy is a long-term vision to transform the South West Native Title Settlement into a lasting legacy of prosperity for current and future generations. Created on Nyoongar Boodjar. Designed to inspire Indigenous nations around the world. Author Gerry Matera
ResearchAddressing Nyoongar Integrity in Business
This literature review explores the growing misuse and exploitation of Aboriginal knowledge, culture, intellectual property, and labour. It examines practices such as black cladding, the extraction of cultural knowledge, and inauthentic representation, while also reviewing the policies, frameworks, and procurement systems that support Indigenous business verification and integrity across Australia. Author Emeritus Professor Dr Len Collard & Dr Dave Palmer Soon To Be Released