CPB Contractors is kicking off NAIDOC 2025, with the theme of The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy being celebrated on our projects and in our offices and plant yards around Australia.
Among the many team members who are pasionately involved in NAIDOC is Mustafa Al-Badre, Senior Indigenous Engagement Advisor (NSW/ACT, VIC/TAS) and proud Barkindji man. Here, we quiz Mustafa on his career with CPB Contractors.
How did you begin your career?
I began my career at CPB Contractors with a summer internship through the Career Trackers program. On completion, I was hired for 2-3 days a week while undertaking my university studies. This gave me valuable real-world and industry experience that helped me to develop into a leader for my community, mob, and peoples.
What moments are you proudest of in your career to date?
As NSW/ACT Indigenous and Social Inclusion Undergraduate, I was honoured to collaborate closely with Local Aboriginal Elders, Local Aboriginal Land Councils, and key community stakeholders to achieve meaningful and sustainable outcomes for Aboriginal communities.
I enjoyed helping lead NAIDOC and Reconciliation events, enhancing awareness and celebrating Indigenous culture within the workplace, and developing CPB’s Aboriginal Business and Social Enterprise (ABSE) database. It transformed into a national platform with over 700 registered businesses.
I helped implement culturally appropriate methodology practices, now part of CPB’s ABSE Playbook, to strengthen relationships and engagement with Indigenous businesses. I enjoyed organising and facilitating Indigenous business forums, connecting over 100 Indigenous businesses with key procurement and project teams, resulting in expanded opportunities and partnerships.
Following this, I became NSW/ACT Indigenous and Social Inclusion Advisor, before leading their Indigenous engagement across NSW, ACT, VIC, and TAS.
How do you feel about the work CPB Contractors does in this space?
I feel that CPB Contractors has a genuine commitment to ensuring that Indigenous peoples, businesses, and communities gain access to opportunities across our projects and organisation.
They create meaningful engagement with mob and invest in them to grow into leaders within their field, industry, and community. I’m very proud to continue to play an active role in advancing our commitment to Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander communities.