The Hon. AILEEN MacDONALD (10:05): I move:

(1)That this House notes that:

(a)on Wednesday 15 October 2025, an event was held in the Fountain Court, New South Wales Parliament, co‑hosted by the Hon. Aileen MacDonald and the Hon. Stephen Lawrence, celebrating Ethan Indigenous, an Indigenous‑owned ICT enterprise advancing digital inclusion and economic empowerment across New South Wales;

(b)the event featured remarks by the chief executive of Ethan Indigenous, and acknowledged the leadership of David Liddiard, OAM, whose longstanding vision for Indigenous economic self-determination led to Ethan's formation in 2017 through a partnership between the David Liddiard Group and Ethan Global;

(c)Ethan Indigenous is now the only Cisco Gold, Dell Titanium, HP Direct, Microsoft Direct and Lenovo Direct certified Supply Nation business in Australia, and in 2023 was awarded more than $20 million in New South Wales Government ICT contracts, demonstrating how procurement policy can directly empower First Nations enterprises;

(d)the event included a ceremonial handover of laptops to Narang Bir-rong Aboriginal Corporation, a Western Sydney community controlled organisation supporting Aboriginal children, young people and families in out-of-home care and family support programs;

(e)attendees included:

(i)Ms Robyn Anne Preston, MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly;

(ii)the Hon. Jihad Dib, MP, Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, and Minister for Youth Justice;

(iii)the Hon. David Harris, MP, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty;

(iv)Ms Charishma Kaliyanda, MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Customer Service and Digital Government, and Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Justice;

(v)Ms Felicity Wilson, MP, shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs;

(vi)the Hon. Aileen MacDonald, shadow Minister for Youth Justice;

(vii)the Hon. Stephen Lawrence;

(viii)the Hon. Dr Sarah Kaine;

(ix)Mr Robert Dwyer, MP;

(x)Tony Geagea;

(xi)Craig Noonan;

(xii)Troy Thorne;

(xiii)Lisa Asquith;

(xiv)Chantell Cao;

(xv)together with senior digital government leaders from the Department of Customer Service, NSW Health, New South Wales Education Standards Authority, Communities and Justice and numerous other agencies, as well as representatives from major cultural and educational institutions across New South Wales.

(f)the event exemplified a constructive collaboration between government, Indigenous business and community organisations, demonstrating that inclusive economic participation and practical partnerships are central to closing the gap.

(2)That this House:

(a)congratulates Ethan Indigenous, Narang Bir-rong Aboriginal Corporation and all partners involved for their leadership and measurable social impact;

(b)commends the Hon. Aileen MacDonald and the Hon. Stephen Lawrence for hosting this significant event at New South Wales Parliament, which showcased how culture, technology and enterprise can advance shared prosperity;

(c)acknowledges the contribution of Ministers, departmental executives and community leaders who attended and continue to champion Indigenous innovation in procurement, education and employment; and

(d)encourages all government agencies to engage meaningfully with Supply Nation-certified enterprises and to recognise the transformative potential of Indigenous-led partnerships such as Ethan Indigenous.

Motion agreed to.