Indigenous job opportunities boosted in Darwin

Indigenous Business Australia (IBA), a statutory body of the Australian Government, and Larrakia Development Corporation have entered into a joint venture with the Toga Group, a subsidiary of Medina Property Services, to own and operate the Vibe and Medina Hotels in Darwin’s new Waterfront Precinct.

IBA and Larrakia Development Corporation acquired a fifty per cent share in the Vibe and Medina Hotels in December last year.

The Member for Solomon, Damian Hale, celebrated the joint venture on behalf of the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, at an event in Darwin last night.

‘It’s fantastic to see Indigenous Business Australia working with local and international businesses to create employment opportunities for Aboriginal people,’ Ms Macklin said.

‘This joint venture will provide a range of employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal people as well as support economic development in Darwin. This is a big win for the Darwin community.’

Mr Hale said the joint venture would be the first of its kind in Darwin.

‘This kind of investment is so important for providing new and exciting job opportunities in Darwin and will support a number of local people in hospitality roles and future construction and development work,’ Mr Hale said.

Under the joint venture the Larrakia trade school, announced recently, will have strong links to the Vibe and Medina Hotels, providing work experience opportunities to students.

Larrakia Development Corporation’s Chief Executive officer, Greg Constantine, said this investment was an opportunity for the corporation to be recognised as a serious contributor to industry and Government investment in Darwin and the Northern Territory.

‘I believe this investment will give us significant credibility in our efforts to secure a range of future business opportunities for Larrakia and other Aboriginal people,’ Mr Constantine said.

Toga Group Executive Chairman, Ervin Vidor, said the group was delighted to partner with Indigenous Business Australia and Larrakia Development Corporation.

‘The Vibe and Medina Grand Waterfront Hotels are performing strongly and receiving excellent guest feedback and we are looking to further focus on providing Aboriginal training and employment opportunities,’ Ms Vidor said.