10-05-2019

Australia Post has been recognised as a leader in the supplier diversity space, winning four awards at the Supply Nation’s Supplier Diversity Awards, including Corporate Member of the year. Announced at a gala dinner in Sydney last night, the awards recognise companies, government agencies and individuals who are helping create a prosperous, vibrant and sustainable Indigenous business sector.

Australia Post was successful in the three categories it was nominated for:

- Corporate member of the year
- Procurement professional of the year
- Supplier diversity advocate of the year  

Australia Post also received the Outstanding Impact Award, awarded to an organisation or individual that has made an outstanding impact on supplier diversity or the growth of the Indigenous business sector. Stephanie Roache, Corporate Responsibility Manager at Australia Post said supplier diversity is a core aspect of Australia Post’s strategy to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 8 and 10 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Reduced Inequalities.

“We recognise our local presence is important to the connection and viability of many communities across Australia, and that we have an important role to play in building an inclusive society, with safe, fair and fulfilling work for our extended workforce,” said Ms Roache.

“We believe supplier diversity is one of the greatest opportunities to create economic, social and environmental value, and we have an ambitious target to spend $40 million with Indigenous businesses in our supply chain by 2020. This is a key action within our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan.”

Thomas King, General Manager Procurement said Australia Post’s success was due to its focus on finding new ways of working that deliver positive social outcomes.

“We believe social and Indigenous procurement is a great opportunity to create economic, social and environmental value. I’m proud of the procurement team for all their hard work, passion and dedication to achieving commercial value while also delivering long term positive social impact”.

Australia Post has been committed to engaging Indigenous businesses in its supply chain since it became a formal member of Supply Nation in 2010.

Last year Australia Post also released a whitepaper highlighting how supplier diversity creates a competitive advantage and better workforce engagement for organisations, leading to increased economic, social and environmental value.

Find out more about Australia Post’s approach to supplier diversity and download the whitepaper at: auspost.com.au/SDGs.

Source: Australia Post