Reconciliation Action Plan 2010–12
Our vision for reconciliation
The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (the department) is committed to bridging the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. The department recognises and respects the unique history and culture of Indigenous Australians, as well as the importance of working together to create an inclusive society. The department aims to be an employer of choice and provide equitable access to employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians within the department. We believe that committing to the process of reconciliation will enable the department to be more effective in delivering our business outcomes and will assist in building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the Australian community.
Our business
The department aims to develop a vibrant, sustainable and internationally competitive broadband, broadcasting and communications sector, through policy development, advice and program delivery, which promotes the digital economy for the benefit of all Australians.
We will work to improve the delivery of our programs to Indigenous Australians and support the Australian Government's ‘Closing the Gap’ objectives by improving access to essential communication services in remote Indigenous communities.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan
This Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) outlines a range of strategies to enable the department to realise its vision for reconciliation. It operates in conjunction with the department's Indigenous Employment Plan and Workplace Diversity plan.
A working group is in place to monitor implementation of the RAP and review and refresh annually. The working group is chaired by the Parliamentary Support, Corporate Strategy and Governance Branch (who have responsibility for the RAP) and comprises a representative from each branch that has responsibility for actions in the RAP and an Indigenous staff representative. The working group will meet every three months throughout the life of the RAP to monitor progress against the RAP and will participate in reviewing and refreshing the RAP in July 2011. The RAP has joint champions in the Assistant Secretary of the Indigenous Communications Branch, the Assistant Secretary of People and Procurement Branch and the Assistant Secretary of the Parliamentary Support, Corporate Strategy and Governance Branch.
The RAP is available on the department's intranet and internet sites and the Reconciliation Australia website. The RAP is in place from July 2010 to June 2012 and the department will review and refresh it annually. The department reports annually on progress towards achievement of the actions in the RAP. The most recent annual report on progress for 2010-11 against the actions in the previous RAP covering 2010-12 was completed and endorsed by Reconciliation Australia in September 2011.
Currently, the Parliamentary Governance and Coordination Branch and the working group members are reviewing the plan to establish a revised RAP for the period from July 2011 to July 2013. The refreshed 2011-13 RAP will take into account and build on our achievements and lessons learnt over the 2010-11 year. Once this RAP endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, the RAP will be made available on the departmental website and will also be published on Reconciliation Australia’s website. A draft is currently with Reconciliation Australia for comment.
Relationships—Build inclusive relationships with Indigenous Australia to improve the delivery of the Department's policy and programs
Focus area: Discussion with Indigenous representatives about policy and program design, development, coordination and delivery
Actions |
Responsibility |
Timeline |
Measurable targets |
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Consult with Indigenous Australian stakeholders in rural, regional and remote areas to develop strategies to identify and reduce barriers to access and use of communications services
Work collaboratively across government and other sectors to develop, coordinate and deliver products and services for Indigenous Australians
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Regional & Indigenous Communications Branch Digital Initiatives Branch
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Commencing July 2010 |
Participate in the development and implementation of the Indigenous Communications Group's annual work plan to deliver outcomes under the Framework for provisions of communications services to Indigenous communities endorsed by the Online and Communications Council (information about the council and the framework is located at www.occ.gov.au) |
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October 2010 |
Participate in two forums with the Indigenous Communications Group. Use forums to consult with service providers and Indigenous stakeholders about strategies to identify and reduce barriers to access and use communications services. | ||
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July 2010 |
Develop consultation guidelines to provide direction to the Department on how and when to consult with Indigenous Australians in program design, development, coordination and delivery. | ||
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December 2010 |
Participate in the development of a document by the Indigenous Communications Group and the Online Communications Council to identify the links between improving the availability of communications services to Indigenous Australians and 'closing the gap' in Indigenous disadvantage. |
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Form a Reconciliation Action Plan working group with stakeholders and an Indigenous staff representative |
Parliamentary Support, Corporate Strategy & Governance Branch |
Commencing July 2010 |
The working group is formed and meets on every three months an annual basis to monitor and review progress and annually to refresh the Plan. |
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Implement communications programs that meet the needs of Indigenous Australians and aim to 'close the gap' in Indigenous disadvantage |
Regional & Indigenous Communications Branch Australian Broadband Guarantee Branch National Community & Radio Broadcasting Branch |
Commencing July 2010 |
Outcomes, outputs and feedback on departmental programs that deliver services to Indigenous Australians reported in the Annual Report, including:
Community Broadcasting Foundation. |
Respect—Recognise and value the strengths of Indigenous cultures and identities to build an inclusive and positive workplace culture
Focus area: Improving cultural awareness
Actions |
Responsibility |
Timeline |
Measurable targets |
|
Celebrate and participate in significant Indigenous cultural and reconciliation events |
People & Procurement Branch Regional & Indigenous Communications Branch |
Commencing July 2010 |
The Department holds a minimum of one event per year Departmental events are promoted and all staff are encouraged and supported to attend. Attendance numbers are monitored and feedback is requested, considered and acted on. |
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July 2010 |
The Indigenous intranet pages (referred to below) provide links to information about significant Indigenous and cultural events. | ||
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Develop Indigenous intranet pages to promote and encourage an inclusive culture in the Department
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People & Procurement Branch |
July 2010
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Indigenous intranet pages are available, promoted to and used by staff. We will monitor page hits to assess the level of usage and effectiveness of the site. |
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Commencing July 2010 |
Request feedback from all staff on improvements or additions and consider and act on it. | ||
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Raise staff awareness of Indigenous Australian peoples and cultures by:
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People & Procurement Branch
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Commencing July 2010
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Indigenous cultural awareness training to all staff to continue as part of Department's core training program. Make improvements as required by monitoring the level of attendance and feedback. Protocol for Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country developed and used at key departmental events. Development and implementation of a cultural guidelines about when, why and how to incorporate Indigenous cultural practices, celebrations and images into activities, events, facilities and corporate communications. |
Opportunities— Promote recruitment, retention and development of Indigenous Australians and support Indigenous Australians to develop the skills and abilities the Department requires to deliver its business outcomes
Focus area: Continue and improve existing programs to boost departmental Indigenous staff recruitment, development and retention
Actions |
Responsibility |
Timeline |
Measurable targets |
|
Continue to implement the Department's Indigenous Employment Plan. It aims to improve the Department's ability to attract, select and retain Indigenous Australians and assist their career development in the Australian Public Service |
People & Procurement Branch |
Commencing July 2010 |
Increase Indigenous staffing levels to a minimum two per cent of total staff by 2013. |
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July 2010 |
Include a statement on the Department's careers web page that actively encourages applications from Indigenous Australians. Promote employment opportunities through Indigenous media including www.indigenousjobsaustralia.com.au. | ||
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Commencing July 2010 |
Provide a mentor to all entry-level Indigenous employees, if required. | ||
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Participate in Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) Indigenous Graduates program and Indigenous entry-level trainee program |
People & Procurement Branch |
Commencing July 2010
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The Department's annual graduate intake has a minimum of one Indigenous graduate sourced from the APSC Indigenous Graduates program. The Department's trainee intake has a minimum of two Indigenous trainees sourced from the APSC Indigenous Trainee Program every 18 months (noting that the APSC programs commence every six months and are 18 months in duration). |
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Support Indigenous staff to participate in internal training and development programs as well as APSC Indigenous programs |
All managers People & Procurement Branch |
Commencing July 2010 |
Training and development opportunities are well promoted and Indigenous staff are encouraged to attend. |
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Annually |
Indigenous staff provide feedback annually to HR about training opportunities offered by the Department and their experience in accessing training. Feedback is acted on, as appropriate. | ||
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Commencing July 2010 |
Entry-level Indigenous employees will attend mandatory training in line with the requirements of their particular programs. | ||
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Commencing July 2010 |
Indigenous staff are encouraged and supported to attend APSC programs and events, as well as join networks such as the Indigenous APS Employee's Network and the APSC 'Career Trek' training. | ||
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Commencing July 2010 |
Monitor of number of participants attending APSC programs, networks and events. |
Tracking progress and reporting: Maintain and report on the Reconciliation Action Plan
Action |
Responsibility |
Timeline |
Measurable Targets |
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Annual performance report on the Plan prepared by the Department and provided to Reconciliation Australia. Summary of Plan progress included in the 2010-11 Annual Report and the 2011-12 Annual Report Review and refresh the Plan in July 2011 Review the Plan in July 2012 and put a new Plan endorsed by Reconciliation Australia in place following expiry of this Plan |
Parliamentary Support, Corporate Strategy & Governance Branch Working Group |
July 2011
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Annual performance report on the Plan completed and provided to Reconciliation Australia and published on both the Reconciliation Australia's and the Department's website. Summary of progress of the implementation of the Plan is included in the Annual Report in 2011 and 2012. The Plan is reviewed and refreshed by end July 2011 and a new Plan endorsed by Reconciliation Australia is put in place following expiry of the current Plan in June 2012. |
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Working group to meet every three months to discuss progress against the plan actions and ensure the plan is 'on track' in preparation for annual reporting and refresh of the plan in July. |
Parliamentary Support, Corporate Strategy & Governance Branch Working Group |
Every three months commencing July 2010 |
Working group meetings organised every three months commencing July 2010. Working group to meet to do annual refresh in July 2011. Parliamentary Support, Corporate Strategy & Governance Branch track plan progress based on meeting feedback and inform Assistant Secretary, Parliamentary Support, Corporate Strategy & Governance Branch of progress. |
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Develop and implement a communications strategy to promote this Plan |
Parliamentary Support, Corporate Strategy & Governance Branch Communication & Media Branch |
July 2010 |
Communications strategy developed and implemented. |
