Reconciliation

Action that individuals and institutions can take for reconciliation and to improve the quality of life of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Closing the Gap

Close the Gap is an initiative designed to overcome the entrenched inequality faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people so that their life outcomes are equal to all Australians. In order to close the gap, there must be structural change in the way governments work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

They need to have a much greater say in how programs and services are delivered to their people, in their own places and on their own country
Community-controlled organisations deliver the best services and outcomes
Government needs to address systemic, daily racism, and promote cultural safety and transfer power and resources to communities
They need to have access to the same information and data as governments to drive their development

This is the first report that provides data on the current snapshot of progress under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (the Agreement). This report also outlines the approach to future monitoring of progress.

Closing the Gap Annual Report

Socioeconomic Targets

Reconciliation Action Plans

The Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a framework and strategic document that supports the workplace, schools and early learning services to support the national reconciliation movement. It includes practical actions that will drive contribution to reconciliation internally and in the community.

Reconciliation Australia present national reconciliation as based on five critical dimensions. These dimensions are inter-related and full reconciliation requires progress on all five.

Race relations: All Australians understand and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous cultures, rights and experiences, which results in stronger relationships based on trust and respect and that are free of racism.
Equality and equity: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples participate equally in a range of life opportunities and the unique rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are recognised and upheld.
Institutional integrity: An Australian society that values and recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and heritage as a proud part of a shared identity.
Unity: The active support of reconciliation by the nation’s political, business and community structures.
Historical acceptance: All Australians understand and accept the wrongs of the past and the impact of these wrongs. Australia makes amends for the wrongs of the past and ensures these wrongs are never repeated.

Submit your Reconciliation Action Plan expression of interest

Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or the ‘triple bottom line‘ means that corporations must consider their responsibility not only for the economic consequences of their activities, but also for the social and environmental implications.

For corporations that work in Australia, corporate social responsibility must recognise the strong continuing connection that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities have to their culture, land, water and community. Corporate Social Responsibility must work towards rectifying the social and environmental implications of colonisation, stolen generations, racism and trauma.

Environmental: corporations should behave in as environmentally friendly a way as possible, such as by reducing pollution, increasing reliance on sustainable resources, and offsetting negative environmental impact.
Philanthropic: corporations aim to actively make the world and society a better place, such as by dedicating a portion of their earnings, donations to charity and nonprofits or by creating their own charitable trust or organisation to give back.
Ethical: corporations should operate in a fair and ethical manner, and achieve fair treatment of all stakeholders, including leadership, investors, employees, suppliers, and customers.
Economic responsibility: corporations should back all of its financial decisions in its commitment to do good in the areas listed above. The end goal is not to simply maximise profits, but positively impact the environment, people, and society.

Human Rights and CSR

Australian Human Rights Commission works specifically on the links between corporate activity and human rights in relation to resource development on Indigenous land:

Development and Indigenous Land: A Human Rights Approach – a set of principles addressing resource development on Indigenous land, developed by a forum of Indigenous people from Australia’s major mineral resource regions.
Corporate Social Responsibility, Native Title and Agreement Making – a report analysing the policies of eight major mining companies in Australia, and identifying approaches which companies might adopt in relation to the rights and interests of Indigenous peoples.