Curtin awards indigenous contract

Curtin University has awarded a fire services maintenance contract to ARA Indigenous Services, a business established by former AFL player Michael O'Loughlin.

Under the three-year contract, ARA Indigenous Services will deliver maintenance for approximately 21,000 pieces of plant and equipment

Sydney-based ARA Indigenous Services is a substantial business with revenue of $11.4 million in the year to June 2019.

This figure was disclosed in the annual report of its 49 per cent shareholder, unlisted public company ARA Group, which is also based in Sydney.

ARA Group had revenue of $555 million in FY19 across security, mechanical, cleaning, maintenance, electrical and fire services.

Mr O’Loughlin said the Curtin contract fitted his company’s vision of strengthening partnerships between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.

“We look forward to delivering a quality service and creating opportunities within the local community, something that has been a passion of mine for a very long time,” he said.

Curtin University chief operating officer Ian Callahan said the three-year agreement aligned with its Reconciliation Action Plan, which strives to acknowledge and celebrate the proud heritage of Australia’s First Peoples.

“The Elevate RAP allows us to think strategically about how we as a university can advance reconciliation and promoting opportunities for career development, sustainable business growth, and economic participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within our sector is part of that,” he said.

“As a Supply Nation-certified business, with majority indigenous ownership and strong leadership from Michael O’Loughlin, ARAIS has achieved proven success in the maintenance services sector while also providing valuable employment opportunities to members of the indigenous community.”

The ARAIS contract started last month.