Qantas today announced it has renewed its contract with Indigenous telecommunications provider Message Stick Communications.

Qantas Chief Procurement Officer Kevin McCafferty said as a founding member of the Australian Indigenous Supplier Council (AIMSC), Qantas was the first member to sign a contract with a certified indigenous supplier, Message Stick Communications, in November 2009.

"We are delighted to continue our relationship with Message Stick Communications by renewing our contract for a further three years," Mr McCafferty said.

"Qantas is committed to the development of a more comprehensive supplier diversity program and we continue to seek opportunities to work with Indigenous suppliers.

"Through our partnership with AIMSC, Qantas is able to connect with Indigenous businesses across a range of areas and in the past year we have doubled the number of contracted Indigenous suppliers."

Qantas Chief Procurement Officer Kevin McCafferty and Message Stick Communications' Chief Executive Michael McLeod signed the contract yesterday at the AIMSC Connect 2012 Conference and Business Opportunity Fair.

Message Stick Communications' Chief Executive Michael McLeod said Qantas has been a leader in the area of corporate engagement with Indigenous Australia for many years.

"Together with the support of AIMSC, Message Stick and Qantas have worked together to renew a very valuable contract with Qantas. It is this sort of collaboration that I hope will eventually help all Indigenous business owners throughout Australia," Mr McLeod said.

AIMSC Chief Executive Officer Natalie Walker said this contract signing is further evidence that large companies and Indigenous SMEs can do business together.

"I applaud Qantas for its leadership in removing the barriers that usually stop Indigenous businesses like Message Stick from winning contracts with large companies," said Ms Walker.

Message Stick Communications provides Qantas with a range of telecommunications services including teleconferencing, web collaboration and large event conference calls.

Qantas was recognised for its commitment to supplier diversity at the AIMSC Connect 2012 Gala Dinner held at Sydney Town Hall last night winning the AIMSC Corporate Member of the Year Award.

Contributed by Qantas Airways Limited