ABSTRACT
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have been encouraged to become entrepreneurs in order to counter their entrenched economic and social disadvantage. However, entering the mainstream Australian economy, especially for regional and rural Indigenous business, is a significant challenge. In an attempt to address some of the challenges governments provide a number of assistance programmes. This chapter presents findings from a study that examined, in part, the perceived effectiveness of government business assistance programmes. The qualitative study took place in a regional setting within the Bundjalung Nation in northeast New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The study participants had an interest in Indigenous economic and business development, such as Indigenous Economic Development Officers, Business Mentors and Consultants, and representatives from government agencies and non-profit organisations as well as small business owners. Government assistance programmes were perceived as playing an important role in facilitating business development; however participants also highlighted a series of problems including inappropriate funding; a duplication of programmes; a lack of consistency, and a lack of ownership of the outcomes from some programmes. It is hoped by highlighting both the negative and positive aspects of programmes that future programmes may be developed to provide the best possible outcomes.
