Submission to the Productivity Commission Inquiry: Australia’s Circular Economy

This submission by First Nations Economics responds to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into Australia’s transition to a circular economy, highlighting the essential role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as knowledge holders, innovators, and leaders. Drawing on thousands of years of cultural practice and contemporary economic expertise, the submission presents a First Nations-led vision for circularity that is grounded in self-determination, cultural integrity, and ecological stewardship. It outlines systemic barriers limiting First Nation participation, including market exclusion, policy misalignment, and infrastructure deficits, and provides evidence-based recommendations for reform.

FNE proposes a co-designed national approach that embeds First Nations governance, knowledge systems, and enterprise leadership into Australia’s circular transition. This includes establishing Indigenous-led infrastructure, protecting Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), reforming procurement frameworks, and creating place-based circular initiatives. The submission also showcases case studies of successful First Nations circular practices and advocates for culturally grounded monitoring frameworks that measure success through community-defined outcomes.

By prioritising partnership, equity, and First Nations-led innovation, FNE asserts that Australia can achieve a circular economy that is not only more sustainable and inclusive but one that honours the sovereignty, rights, and cultural strength of its First Peoples.

Read the Submission

Gurminder Saro

Interim Chair

Associate Professor Rick Macourt is a proud, queer Gumbaynggirr man, lawyer, and economic specialist. He leads First Nations Economics as Managing Director of Strategy and Foundation and serves as Associate Dean of First Nations Strategy and Services at the University of Sydney.

With over 15 years of experience spanning government, corporate, and not-for-profit sectors, Rick is deeply committed to advancing the economic development of First Peoples. As the former Director of First Nations Expenditure and Outcomes at NSW Treasury, he spearheaded the state’s inaugural Indigenous expenditure reporting processes and established the groundbreaking First Nations budget process in 2021/22. Previously, Rick held an executive role at the Westpac Group, overseeing First Nations affairs, and has a rich history in government, monitoring, evaluation, and negotiation, with senior positions at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, City of Sydney, and Standards Australia.

Rick is a published author with Oxford University Press, a member of the First Nations Advisory Board of Siemens Australia, and a Non-Executive Director on the board of Barnardos Australia.