ABC Stretch RAP Report 2017 · 2018-07-23 · ABC Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan: Report 2 Feb...

ABC Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan 2016-18

Second Report against the Plan, January-December 2017

February 2018

Contents

Introduction ..................................................................................................... 1

Key Highlights-ABC Content ............................................................2

Key Highlights-ABC Employees and Suppliers .................. 8

Progress against RAP deliverables .........................................10

Recommendations ...................................................................................17

Cover photo: 2017 RAP Radio Baker Boy (credit: Dan Soderstrom). Emerging Top End musician Baker Boy AKA Danzel Baker, with his exciting blend of Yolgnu Matha language and culture and contemporary hip hop beats, was the standout act from triple j Unearthed in 2017. Here he is performing at triple j Unearthed’s Live At The Steps, a free all-ages gig in partnership with The Push and the Parliament of Victoria as part of Melbourne Music Week.

1ABC Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan: Report 2 Feb 2018

Heywire winner Molly Hunt, Wyndham, Western Australia

IntroductionThis is the second annual report against the ABC Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2016-18. It covers the period from 1 January to 31 December 2017. The Plan is a Stretch RAP under Reconciliation Australia’s RISE (Reflect, Innovate, Stretch, Elevate) framework and commits the ABC to meeting targets that build on its successes in its first (2009–12) and second (2013–15) RAPs.

The Corporation has responded well to the challenge of a Stretch RAP for the second year of the Plan’s implementation. All actions outlined in the Plan are monitored for progress by the Bonner Committee, the ABC’s primary advisory body on issues relating to Indigenous employees, content and communities, to ensure that the Corporation is on track to meet the deliverables at the end of the Plan in 2018.

This report is divided into three sections. The first section provides some key highlights from ABC content and demonstrates the ABC’s commitment to Indigenous storytelling and to the production of content that is about or created by

Indigenous Australians. The highlights also include opportunities for and achievements in increasing employment and procurement opportunities for Indigenous Australians.

The second section provides an update on ABC progress against the Plan and deliverables in the four RAP areas. These areas include: respect, relationships, opportunities for employees and suppliers and opportunities for content.

The last section provides recommendations on focus areas for 2018 as the Plan ends.


Key Highlights - ABC Content

2017 marked several significant Indigenous historical, political, and cultural anniversaries, including 50 years since the 1967 referendum and 25 years since the historic Mabo decision. Between May and August 2017, the ABC focused on these milestones with specially created content across all platforms for Reconciliation Week, NAIDOC Week and the Garma Festival. A dedicated online space was created to house content offerings for Reconciliation and NAIDOC Weeks. This space, called “Our Focus” hosted 58 pieces of multimedia content.

Reconciliation Week: 27 May to 3 June 2017

A highlight of Our Focus: Reconciliation Week was the long-form digital feature, Right Wrongs, launched in May 2017 and led by ABC Regional. This project marked the 50th anniversary of the 1967 referendum to change how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were referred to in the Constitution. It tells the story of the referendum and its impact over the past 50 years through a mix of archival and contemporary stories, photos and videos.

The ABC collaborated with Indigenous employees and representatives from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and the National and State Libraries Australasia to access their archives. Right Wrongs provides a compelling look at the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and details first-hand accounts of their stories.

The interactive website features 45 curated narrative accounts from members of various Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, each highlighting their unique, tumultuous struggle for equal legislative rights.

All Radio networks ran promotions announcing their support for Reconciliation Week, as well as specific promotions for the Right Wrongs website. The Right Wrongs project was a landmark ABC content offering that garnered 162,000-page views and 73,800 visits, with 22% of the visitors new to the ABC.

Right Wrongs won an award in the ‘Best Online’ category at the UN Association of Australia Media Awards in October 2017. It was also highly commended in the Indigenous category and has since been showcased across Australia and in Los Angeles, Washington DC, Paris and Ottawa.


Multi-media project Don’t Fence Me In: Remembering Eddie Mabo

RN’s Awaye! broadcast on Saturday June 3 (also available at RN online and on the ABC Radio app), and produced digital content. The project included never-before-seen footage and images as well as interviews with Eddie Koiki Mabo’s legal team, Bryan Keon-Cohen and Greg McIntyre and Henry and Margaret Reynolds.

Stan Grant’s Counted

ABC and ABC News on Friday 26 May.

Reconciliation Special Q&A

Broadcast from Parliament House on ABC and iview on Monday 29 May.

Speaking Out

An ABC radio program featuring Tony Birch, Vernon Ah Kee and Linda Burney explored where Australia needs to go in the next 50 years - broadcast on RN on Friday 26 May and on ABC Radio on Sunday 28 May.

Behind The News Special: Indigenous Connections

This special featured a group of outback children trying to make it into an Indigenous choir. Broadcast on ABC ME on Wednesday 31 May.

National Indigenous Convention

ABC Radio and the AM team broadcast from Uluru and surrounds throughout the week; ABC News provided comprehensive coverage of the Convention (Tuesday 23 May to Saturday 27 May).

ABC Local Radio highlights

ABC Radio Sydney broadcast a 2-hour special on the 1967 referendum anniversary. ABC Radio Melbourne hosted an outside broadcast at Federation Square in partnership with the Koorie Heritage Trust, for a conversation with Gail Mabo reflecting on the 25th anniversary of the Mabo Decision.

triple j

ABC Radio Sydney broadcast a 2-hour special on the 1967 referendum. triple j Drive and Unearthed collaborated on a project bringing together two Indigenous artists, Steady and Emily Wurramara, to produce a new song.

250 Shades of Black

A debate about the push for an Indigenous treaty and constitutional change, on the anniversary of the 1967 referendum. The debate included activists Michael Mansell, Josie Crawshaw, John Christophersen and Luke Pearson. 250 Shades of Black was broadcast live from Darwin on ABC News on 28 May.

Content highlights from National Reconciliation Week

Content on ABC iview featured a specially curated collection of programs including Mabo and the two-part mini-series The Secret River. These programs examined the significant events in Australia’s journey to reconciliation, from the 1967 referendum to the historic Mabo decision and the Apology. Mabo generated 35,000 views and The Secret River, 32,500 views.

ABC Regional’s Coffs Harbour content maker, Fiona Poole, developed a language lesson format for Reconciliation Week and beyond. This initiative involved an ABC team member learning a local Indigenous language on air.


NAIDOC Week “Our Languages Matter” 2-9 July 2017

Most Aboriginal languages spoken today are endangered, some critically so. The campaign to maintain those still spoken and revive dormant or “sleeping” languages is fought on many fronts.

“Our Languages Matter” was the theme for NAIDOC Week this year and the content reflected the ABC’s commitment towards upholding Indigenous linguistic diversity across the country.

In the flagship web-based initiative, “Our Languages Matter”, traditional Aboriginal language speakers from across Australia shared with Awaye! presenter Daniel Browning the importance of learning Indigenous languages. The initiative was launched in conjunction with ‘Word Up’, a podcast on the diverse languages of Indigenous Australia, with a new word introduced in each episode. Seven ‘Word Up’ social media posts were created and shared across the week. ‘Word Up’ continues as a weekly radio segment on Awaye! and as a stand-alone podcast.

NAIDOC Week also marked the end of the Our Focus campaign that featured the 1967 referendum through the Right Wrongs digital project.

ABC TV – Q&A, Cleverman, Australian Story

The second series of Cleverman was launched during NAIDOC Week. Q&A broadcast live from Alice Springs on 3 July. Australian Story produced an episode, “The Peacemaker”, that shares the remarkable journey of Uncle Ossie Cruse and his fight for Indigenous rights.

ABC ME – New content series

Premiere of animated series Little Jay and Big Cuz, plus Bushwhacked, Move it Mobstyle, Logie Award-winning series Ready For This and a new art series Create – Indigenous Art Experiences were shared across ABC Kids social media platforms.

ABC Kids Indigenous segment

Recordings with children speaking in their Indigenous language featured on ABC Kids ‘Good night’ and were shared across ABC Kids social media platforms.

ABC Splash Indigenous language song competition

ABC Splash ran an Indigenous language song competition which Penrhos College Junior School (WA) won with the song, “Marrin Gamu in Noongar”. Woorabinda State School in Queensland came second with the song “Dillee Walloo”. A total of 1400 students from 31 schools took part in the competition.

Content highlights for NAIDOC Week

ABC Radio Digital pop up

ABC Radio featured a digital popup station including Indigenous music and language packages, available on DAB+ mobile and online.

ABC Regional language lessons and Indigenous IDs

ABC Regional provided language lessons and coverage of NAIDOC Week from more than 40 regional locations and developed the second batch of more than 100 Indigenous IDs in language for regional radio stations across the country.

triple j featuring Birdz

Like a Version featured Indigenous rapper Birdz performing his original song Black Lives Matter and a cover of the Yothu Yindi classic Djapana (“Sunset Dreaming”).

Local Radio – Indigenous content specials

There were Indigenous co-hosts in select locations and an all Indigenous playlist across the network on 3 July with live music and comedy, as well as extensive editorial coverage on all stations.


The content produced as part of NAIDOC Week received a positive audience response. Our Focus: Naidoc Week was included in the flagship app with a high volume of traffic (sessions: 687,000 and screen views: 947,000); the video post for ‘Black as’ attracted more than 20 million views on the ABC Indigenous Facebook page; Q&A live from Alice Springs had an audience of 341,000; Cleverman Series 2 (Australian Premiere) on TV and iview had an audience of 393,000; and the Australian Story on Uncle Ossie, “The Peacemaker”, had an audience of 597,000.

Double J: Gawurra Special

Double J’s Live at the Wireless featured Indigenous artist Gawurra performing at Womadelaide where he showcased his 2016 NT Song of the Year, Ratja Yaliyali (“Vine of Love”).

ABC Grandstand

Extensive coverage of NAIDOC Week including interviews conducted by Charlie King with Indigenous athletes during half-time of AFL and NRL matches.

ABC Classic FM: Sunday Opera and William Barton Special

Sunday Opera featured Pecan Summer by Yorta Yorta woman Deborah Cheetham, which was introduced with a conversation between Deborah Cheetham and Greta Bradman. The Mornings playlist focused on the works of Indigenous didgeridoo player, William Barton.

ABC RN

Radio National produced a six-episode series called ‘Positively Wilcannia’ on The Real Thing.

Deborah Cheetham (soprano) and Don Bemrose (baritone) in their roles as Ella and James in Pecan Summer Photo credit:Jorge de Araujo


Garma Festival: Makarrata 4-7 August 2017

Makarrata (“coming together after a struggle”) was the central theme for the 19th annual Garma Festival of Indigenous culture.

In 2017, the Garma Festival served as a key platform for the ABC to represent and reflect on the ongoing debate around constitutional change and establishing an ‘Indigenous voice’ in the Federal Parliament.

The news coverage spanned online, television, radio news and current affairs. The ABC News website published more than 10 stories covering the events and discussions at Garma on issues related to the constitutional rights of Indigenous peoples, the follow-up on the ‘Uluru Statement from the Heart’, and the proceedings at the Festival. The stories also focused on challenges faced by Indigenous communities in the areas of health and education, and some of the successful programs created to address these challenges.

The Garma Festival was also attended by the ABC Board member Dr Kirstin Ferguson and Managing Director, Michelle Guthrie, who delivered an address.

Content highlights for the Garma Festival

Garma Festival 2017Photo credit: Mitchell Woolnough (ABC News)

ABC Radio

ABC Radio provided regular updates on the proceedings of the Garma Festival (AM and PM shows).

ABC RN Drive

Drive’s Patricia Karvelas did a live broadcast from the Festival covering topics such as the future of Indigenous leadership and Indigenous unionisation.

ABC Q&A Garma Special Edition

ABC Indigenous Affairs Editor Stan Grant hosted a special Q&A broadcast from the Festival . The broadcast was streamed on Facebook, Youtube and Periscope and rebroadcast on the ABC.

The Q&A panel consisted of Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion, Cape York leader Noel Pearson, Professor of Indigenous Studies Marcia Langton, Garma Festival Director Denise Bowden and the Yothu Yindi Foundation’s Djapirri Munungirritj.


ABC News coverage of Indigenous affairs

ABC News continues to provide extensive coverage of Indigenous affairs across Australia. In total, ABC News published 1377 Indigenous news stories from January-December 2017. This included 1178 articles, 157 videos and 42 audio pieces, garnering more than 21 million cumulative views online.

The top ten ABC Indigenous news stories for the reporting period received more than 2 million views. The top 10 stories (below) featured an eclectic mix of social, historical, and cultural stories, each carving its own importance into the everyday fabric of Australian life. The death of Dr G Yunupingu, Australia’s most prominent Indigenous musician received the highest viewer numbers. Dr G Yunupingu had a highly illustrious career which involved touring the world, playing for the Queen and Barack Obama. The second most viewed story revolved around the controversial Australia Day lamb advertisement and the criticism it attracted from Indigenous communities. Rounding off the top three stories was a poignant piece on a Perth mum’s experience of perceived discrimination by police during a licence check.

Walking in two worlds

Total views239,084

Family calls for investigation after Eric Whittaker died shackled by his ankles in a Sydney hospital bed.

Total views186,636

Dr G Yunupingu: Australia’s most prominent Indigenous musician dies aged 46.

Total views320,089

Alice Eather: Anti-fracking activist’s ‘black dog’ never left her, family says.

Total views207,657

Australia Day lamb advertisement draws criticism from Indigenous groups.

Total views265,691

Utopia: Aboriginal elderly sleeping on ground with dogs amid calls for improved aged care.

Total views195,608

Perth mum claims she was unfairly targeted by police during licence check.

Total views248,368

Noel Pearson alleged to have unleashed foul-mouthed tirade at Prime Minister over Indigenous constitutional recognition.

Total views192,346

Dr G Yunupingu: Indigenous musician found ‘wasted away’, friend says ‘we owed him better’.

Total views244,294

New map records massacres of Aboriginal people in Frontier Wars.

Total views188,742

Top 10 Indigenous news stories (January-December 2017)


Key Highlights - ABC Employees and Suppliers

ABC employees

The RAP 2016-18 sets targets to increase the number of Indigenous employees across the ABC. At the end of 2017, the Corporation had met its target for the year with 2.7% of Indigenous employees making up its workforce. All content teams (Radio, News, TV and Regional) have senior editorial managers responsible for overseeing Indigenous programming. In 2017, Stan Grant became Editor, National Indigenous Affairs coverage, and Lorena Allam became Manager, Indigenous Radio. Kelrick Martin remains Head of Indigenous TV and Sally Riley, Head of Scripted Production. The table below provides the distribution of Indigenous employees by job group.

Indigenous employees by job group.

Job groupDec 2016

Dec 2017

No % No %

ABC wide 100 2.5% 108 2.7%

Senior Executive 3 0.9% 4 1.4%

Administrative/ Professional

24 3.6% 26 4.1%

Content maker 64 2.4% 69 2.6%

Technologist 8 2.2% 8 2.1%

Online Retail 1 6.7% 1 6.7%

Consultation with Indigenous employees

The ABC continues to proactively engage and consult with Indigenous employees to seek their input on coverage and representation of contemporary Indigenous issues and debates.

In November 2017, triple j announced it would rebrand the Hottest 100 as the Hottest 100 Weekend, to be staged over the 4th weekend each January. triple j worked closely with the Bonner Committee to develop a review process and consulted with Indigenous employees.

triple j’s Indigenous employees, Karla Ranby and Brooke Boney, were key participants in consultations. They presented their family histories and perspectives on Australia Day to the triple j team at station meetings and later the ABC Leadership Team. Other triple j employees were rotated through consultations so that the process was transparent and the team stayed informed. To gauge team views, triple j’s employees completed an anonymous survey. A similar survey was sent to the ABC’s Indigenous employees.

Indigenous Employees Conference

The Indigenous Employees Conference is a key component of the ABC’s Indigenous retention strategy. The Conference is a biennial event that gives Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees from across the Corporation the opportunity to participate in professional development activities, strengthen relationships with peers and connect with Aboriginal communities.

The 2017 Indigenous Employees Conference was hosted in Alice Springs, NT with more than 70% of the ABC’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees in attendance.

ABC Indigenous employees at the 2017 Indigenous employee Conference, Alice Springs


2017 Indigenous Employee Scholarship winners, Natalie Williams and Yale McGillivray. Photo credit: Tahnee Jash

The Conference theme was “Staying engaged in a time of change” which was designed to support Indigenous employees through organisational and broader industry changes. The Conference program was designed to inspire and motivate employees and included sessions such as career planning, strategies to create an inclusive workplace and a review of the ABC’s RAP progress with the ABC Leadership Team.

At the Conference, the Managing Director also announced the Indigenous Employees Scholarship winners and Long Service Award recipients.

Receiving Long Service Awards were Richard Anderson, Michael Nudl, Airlie Ward, Scott Kyle and Francis Tapim from News, Toni Williams from Technology and Rhianna Patrick from Radio, who have collectively served 115 years at the ABC.

In line with the ABC’s commitment to support Indigenous procurement, services and goods utilised for the event were procured from local Indigenous businesses in Alice Springs.

Participant feedback and recommendations were included in a detailed post-Conference report, which will assist with the development of the ABC’s next RAP and key initiatives for ABC Indigenous employees in 2018. The Managing Director will also oversee progress against recommendations from the conference.

Indigenous Employees Scholarships

The Indigenous Employees Scholarships are designed to assist career development of ABC Indigenous employees and include two scholarship categories - one for Content/Editorial employees and one for Technology/Administration employees, with a value of up to $10,000 each.

The 2017 winners were announced during the Conference. They were Yale Macgillivray (Producer, ABC Regional) and Natalie Williams (Executive Assistant, Engagement).

Yale’s scholarship will see her undertaking a four week placement with the National Film Board of Canada in its North-West Studio, where she will work with Indigenous filmmakers and digital artists working on animations, interactive projects and virtual storytelling. Natalie’s scholarship will see her undertake an Advanced Diploma in Executive Management

Training and development

The ABC delivered unconscious bias, employer awareness, trauma and resilience and cultural awareness training programs to support all Indigenous employees. Both the cultural awareness and employer awareness programs were reviewed and refreshed for roll out in the first quarter of 2018. The ABC will continue to run these training programs as a priority for 2018.

The Indigenous mentoring and career planning program is under review and being refreshed for implementation in 2018 as a recommendation from the Conference.

Indigenous suppliers and procurement

In the 2016-18 Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan, the ABC has committed to achieving 3% of its procurement spend with Indigenous businesses by 2020.

In 2017, the ABC continued its membership and liaison with Supply Nation. It implemented framework changes which resulted in prominent recognition of Indigenous procurement in the Corporation’s procurement policy, and inclusion of Indigenous procurement metrics in tender evaluations.

The Procurement team also continued to promote the inclusion of Indigenous suppliers in new approaches to the market for goods and services. Supply Nation conducted information sessions with ABC managers and provided advice to the ABC on its procurement policy and large tender processes. Members of the Procurement and Indigenous Employment teams also attended the Supply Nation Annual Tradeshow to meet and explore partnership opportunities with Indigenous suppliers.

For the financial year 2016/17, the ABC achieved 6.4% of procurement spend with Indigenous suppliers, more than doubling the 3% target. In the second half of 2017, the ABC committed to a further spend of $4.2 million with Indigenous suppliers, including payments on existing contracts, two new contracts with Indigenous production companies and one-off purchases of goods and services.


Progress against RAP 2016-18 deliverablesThe status of each Stretch RAP initiative has been graded into one of four categories:

Achieved/continuing achievement

On track/developing

Not achieved /not on track Pending/contingent on future event

Relationships

Respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the broader Australian community are important to the ABC as the national broadcaster, as we aim to support reconciliation and engender a better understanding of our shared history.

1.1 Continue to support the Bonner Committee, the ABC’s Indigenous advisory group, which monitors and coordinates the ABC’s Reconciliation Action Plan

The Bonner Committee held six meetings (x3 face-to-face, x3 via zoom). The Chair of the Bonner Committee held four meetings with the MD. In tandem with the re-structure of the organisation, the Bonner Committee will undergo a review in 2018.

1.3 Create further opportunities to build strategic partnerships and projects with Indigenous communities, peak bodies and other relevant external organisations, with a focus on regional opportunities

The ABC continued to create strategic partnerships and projects with Indigenous communities with a focus on regional opportunities.

ABC Indigenous (TV) partnered with Screen Australia (SA) and the Australian Film Television and Radio School on a workshop called Shock Treatment that developed eight emerging Indigenous practitioners in the horror genre. ABC Indigenous collaborated with SA Indigenous and Screen Queensland on the Straight out of the Straits initiative to develop seven writers and directors from the Torres Strait.

triple j, in reviewing the date of the Hottest 100, forged contacts with several Indigenous organisations, including Reconciliation Australia, National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples and Koori Radio.

Local Radio Brisbane entered into partnership with the Brisbane Indigenous Media Association to assist in radio workshops, tours of ABC premises and guest speakers. ABC Brisbane continues to be the official supporter of the Queensland Reconciliation Awards where it provided the Judge for the community award category, MC for the ceremony and award presenter.

In October, ABC Regional content makers, Director Fiona Reynolds and ABC Managing Director Michelle Guthrie attended the Puliima National Indigenous Languages and Technology Forum in Cairns. In addition, a school partnership project was launched in 2017 between ABC Port Pirie and the John Pirie Secondary School (of which 15% of its student population is Aboriginal).

Footage and content from Technology was licensed for a number of Indigenous productions including A Team of Champions – a program recognising the role of the Nyoongar Aboriginal footballers in helping develop Australian Rules football.

The ABC Engagement team has met with Indigenous units across 14 Australian universities to discuss career and internship opportunities at the ABC.

1.2 Maintain formal groups at the team and state/territory branch level with responsibility for advancing reconciliation and relationships with Indigenous communities

The formal groups at the team and state/ territory branch level are under review due to the organisational restructure. There are plans for creating a new governance framework for Indigenous employment, diversity and inclusion in 2018.

In 2017, the Radio Indigenous Reference Group convened monthly and was chaired by Lorena Allam, Manager, Indigenous Radio.

The Audiences Diversity Action Group met quarterly and held discussions with Indigenous recruits around their experience finding job opportunities. Through these group discussions, they established Indigenous casting days to connect with Indigenous talent who may be involved in on air promos and marketing activities.


1.4 Provide opportunities for ABC staff to participate in National Reconciliation Week each year

ABC employees and management actively organised and participated in National Reconciliation Week activities (Also see Reconciliation Week: 27 May to 3 June 2017, Page 2).

ABC Branch Leaders, led by the Local Radio Managers, staged a variety of National Reconciliation Week events. Examples include: Adelaide employees participation in Reconciliation Week through the screening of locally made short films about South Australia’s Indigenous heritage. ABC Perth employees participated in a screening of short documentaries by Indigenous content makers and a morning tea provided by a local Indigenous catering business.

1.5 Raise internal and external awareness of the ABC RAP

The Bonner Committee contributed to the development and implementation of various key ABC Indigenous events, such as NAIDOC Week and Reconciliation Week.

Externally, the ABC is a member of the Media Reconciliation Industry Network Group (Media RING) where RAP progress is periodically shared with the industry. ABC Indigenous assisted in hosting the 2017 Media RING event in December. The event included discussions around the makeup of the Board, and a proposal to involve ABC Diversity and Indigenous Lead, Phillipa McDermott in the Media RING’s strategy planning day. The goal is for Media RING to act as a conduit between Indigenous peoples at the cusp of their career and Media RING partners who are actively seeking Indigenous recruits.

1.6 Highlight ABC Indigenous achievement and activity within the ABC

Various internal communications tools (intranet page, Backstory, MD newsletter) were utilised to promote the outcomes of the most significant events including the Indigenous Employees Conference, Indigenous Employees Scholarships, NAIDOC Week, National Reconciliation Week and the Garma Festival.

Some examples include Backstory highlighting Indigenous employee achievements and activity within the News team and Director Radio Michael Mason celebrating Indigenous employee achievement and Indigenous content highlights in his regular ‘Turn It Up’ newsletters.

Achieved/ continuing achievement On track/ developing Not achieved / not on track Pending/ contingent on future event


2.2 Use appropriate cultural protocols, including Acknowledgement of and/or Welcome to Country, at ABC events

All major external events organised by the ABC include a Welcome to Country performed by a local Traditional Owner. Some of the internal events held during the reporting period also included a Welcome to Country.

2.4 Recognise and participate in NAIDOC week each year

See NAIDOC Week: Theme “Our Languages Matter” 2-9 July 2017, Page 4.

2.3 Apply Indigenous Content editorial principles in content making

The Indigenous guidance note now forms a part of the ABC online editorial course that is available to all employees. The ABC Editorial Policies team has also conducted face-to-face training with more than 700 employees, which covers a range of topics including Indigenous issues.

ABC Content Services has noted and circulated the editorial restrictions on how Indigenous content should be represented/edited, particularly regarding Aboriginal ancestry.

2.5 Maintain the Indigenous site on the ABC Intranet to provide a unified source of information in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and issues

There were 10 articles posted on the ABC intranet’s Indigenous Employment and Diversity page. This section will be refreshed once the new intranet portal is launched in 2018. A review is currently taking place on ways to improve the site and make it more informative.

2.6 Install signage and other physical recognition of the traditional owners of land and the contribution of Indigenous ABC employees in the public foyers and reception areas of ABC regional offices

Recognition of Country plaques are gradually being installed in all regional offices with a targeted completion by end of 2018.

Melbourne and Adelaide plaques were re-dedicated, with the input of local Indigenous representatives, following site renovations in 2017.

2.1 Provide employees with ongoing access to training that enhances their knowledge and awareness of Australia’s Indigenous peoples, cultures and history

In 2017, the performance in this area was offtrack against the targets set out in the Plan. 70 employees received cultural awareness training, of whom 43 were managers.

Cultural awareness training will be a key priority in 2018. All employees will have access to cultural awareness training (face-to-face and through Connect +Learn, the ABC’s online learning portal). There will be two cultural awareness training sessions offered per week for teams to register starting from February 2018.

The Technology team was involved in reviewing the protocols and guidelines for use of Indigenous archival material. These were shared with archives researchers and cataloguers.

Respect

Respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, cultures, land and history is important to the ABC because the ABC acknowledges the uniqueness and distinctiveness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and their rights to cultural expression.



3.2 Progressively increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees at the ABC

At the end of 2017, the Corporation had met its target for the year with 2.71% of Indigenous employees in its workforce. (See Page 8: ABC Employees)

3.3 Undertake activities to increase the number of Indigenous employees in content-making, editorial decision-making and management roles, particularly at a senior level

Overall, there has been an increase of eight Indigenous employees at the ABC from 100 (on 31-12-2016) to 108 (31-12-2017). The number of senior executives has doubled from two in 2016 to four in 2017. There are Indigenous employees across all ABC job groups including content makers (69), administrative/ professional (24), technologist (8) and online retail (1).

The NT, NSW, Qld, WA, ACT, Tas and Vic newsrooms have respectively seen the addition of Indigenous reporters, either as part of traineeships or employment. In 2017, Radio advertised nine vacancies as targeted specifically for Indigenous applicants – eight of these positions were content-related and one was an administrative role. Radio Networks also made additional efforts to attract and develop Indigenous employees. For example, the Indigenous Content Unit within Radio National saw an increase in Indigenous employees with the hiring of three producers and one other role.

3.4 Encourage awareness of potential careers at the ABC and in the wider media sector among Indigenous secondary and tertiary students

Relationships with Indigenous units within universities have been maintained. The ABC has also continued its partnership with the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Indigenous Cadetship Support (ICS) team to attract and recruit Indigenous students for roles at the ABC.

Technology hosted a tour of UTS Galuwa students attending the IT/Engineering Winter Camp in July. Radio reached secondary and tertiary students through the NSW-ACT diversity-targeted internship program, which was open to Indigenous students from 10 universities, TAFE and commercial tertiary education courses.

3.5 Provide career development planning support and opportunities for Indigenous employees

All Indigenous employees can create a professional development plan with their line managers. The ABC has a tailored career planning and mentoring program to support the careers of Indigenous employees at the ABC. There are currently 17 Indigenous employees being mentored.

ABC Regional also launched an initiative to identify an ‘Office Diversity Champion’ - a ‘go-to person’ in each region who wants to try new ways to promote diversity.

3.6 Maximise retention of Indigenous employees

The ABC is implementing various initiatives to maximise retention of Indigenous employees. All Indigenous employees exiting the organisation are asked to complete an exit interview and feedback is recorded and shared with Directors. Exit interviews that raised concerns were discussed between the Indigenous Employment and Diversity Lead and Directors.

As per recommendations arising from the Indigenous Employees Conference, the Indigenous mentoring and career planning programs are being updated.

3.1 Implement the ABC Indigenous Employment Strategy 2016-18

In 2017, the Indigenous Employment Strategy was not reviewed due to the restructure occurring across the organisation. In 2018, each team will be reviewing and updating its Indigenous Employment Strategies to assist in meeting targets.

Opportunities – Employment and Supplier Diversity

Opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, organisations and communities are important to the ABC as we strive to comprehensively and fairly reflect the cultural diversity and national identity of Australia.



3.7 Contribute to the growth of Indigenous employment opportunities in the wider media industry

Five employees left the ABC to pursue other media-sector jobs that draw on their ABC experience.

3.8 Increase opportunities for Indigenous suppliers to work with the ABC

For the financial year 2016/17, the ABC achieved 6.4% of procurement spend with Indigenous suppliers, doubling the 3% target. In the second half of 2017, the ABC committed to a further spend of $4.2 million with Indigenous suppliers, including payments on existing contracts, two new contracts with Indigenous production companies and one-off purchases of goods and services. (Also see page 9 : Indigenous suppliers and procurement)



4.3 Increase the number of Indigenous on-air presenters across all platforms

The number of on-air presenters on TV and Radio increased from 35 (2016) to 36 (2017).

The number of Indigenous content makers increased from 60 (2016) to 68 (2017).

In 2017 Radio appointed and commissioned Indigenous presenters to high-profile on-air roles on Local Radio stations, RN, triple j and Classic FM. ABC Regional’s Indigenous trainees are mastering skills around on-air presentation.

From Jan- Dec 2017, AM ran 109 Indigenous-related stories. In total, Radio Current Affairs ran 361 stories on Indigenous issues in 2017.

Radio trialled new platforms for the representation of Indigenous people and content on social media. Examples include ABC Radio Perth reversioning six radio language segments as video for social media and ABC Radio Hobart’s Facebook Live broadcasts of Indigenous musicians and flag raising.

Right Wrongs, the ABC’s flagship digital initiative to mark NAIDOC Week, was promoted through ABC TV’s marketing team and local ABC offices.

4.4 Support the Indigenous community media sector

The ABC/Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) program demonstrates the ABC’s support of the Indigenous community media sector. ABC Regional is currently scoping how this partnership model might be replicated with other Indigenous community media organisations.

ABC Radio Western Australia held a meeting with the Manager of Noongar Radio to discuss potential collaboration. ABC Radio Darwin is working with Top End Aboriginal Bush Broadcasting Association (TEABBA) to provide the ABC Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) broadcast call to remote communities.

4.1 Demonstrate a stronger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander presence in ABC content, including regional content, and in subsequent scheduling

There was a strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander presence in ABC content, as demonstrated in Section 2: Key highlights – ABC content.

Additionally, there were more than 100 programs featuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, perspectives or issues across ABC, ABC Comedy, ABC Me, ABC Kids and iview. Four externally commissioned TV programs had their first runs – Cleverman Series 2, The Warriors (TV and iview viewers: 343,000), Kiki and Kitty and Aussie Rangers. TV initiatives lined up in 2018 include Blue Water Empire, Corey White’s Road Map to Paradise and Black As 2. There was also a broadcast and iview showing of The Unlucky Australians , an original documentary on the Wavehill Walkoff for the first time in Australia (TV and iview viewers: 286,000).

In 2017, Radio recommissioned several weekly programs wholly dedicated to Indigenous content including Awaye! (RN, Radio Australia) and Speaking Out (Local, Regional, RN, Radio Australia). These programs are produced and presented by Indigenous employees.

Radio featured content with an Indigenous focus, as one-off stories, series and ongoing segments on radio, online and in social media. For example, ABC Radio Sydney introduced a weekly segment, Eora Nation, which features Indigenous perspectives on a range of issues and stories; ABC Radio Brisbane commenced a sport segment with Indigenous personality Nathan Appo; and Double J introduced ‘Deadliest Indigenous Women J Files’ and also recorded the National Indigenous Music Awards from Darwin for all networks (Also see page 7: ABC News coverage of Indigenous affairs).

Opportunities – Content

Opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, organisations and communities are important to the ABC as we strive to comprehensively and fairly reflect the cultural diversity and national identity of Australia.

4.2 Maximise audiences for Indigenous content and other initiatives through effective promotion

All of ABC TV’s Indigenous content is promoted and communicated through social networking channels.

A Facebook video for the end-of-year special, “A Very Sexy Christmas with Steven Oliver” received 28,000 views and was shared 251 times.



5.3 Refresh and update the ABC RAP

David Sutton, Tahnee Jash and Dux Newton have commenced discussions with Reconciliation Australia regarding the development of the ABC’s next RAP (2019-2021).

Tracking progress and reporting

5.1 Monitor and report on progress against RAP commitments

RAP commitments are shared with the MD and Board half yearly and on an annual basis via the Chair of the Bonner Committee. Reports are published externally and on the intranet.

5.2 Provide data to Reconciliation Australia on RAP progress

The RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire responses were sent to Reconciliation Australia in September 2017.



RecommendationsOver the course of 2018, the following activities and initiatives require focus and priority to ensure that the ABC meet its RAP targets by the end of the Plan (2016-18):

Cultural awareness training implementation All employees will have access to the cultural awareness training, as a key priority for 2018. The training has been updated (in terms of content and structure) based on current Indigenous issues and feedback received from participants.

Based on the training roll-out plan for 2018, it is anticipated that 30% employees and 30% managers will complete the training.

Development of a new governance structure for Indigenous Employment, Diversity and Inclusion This new structure will replace the Diversity Action Groups in favour of a pan-ABC model with a formal governance framework with accountability and performance measures for leaders.

Revision of Indigenous Employment Strategies

In 2018, each team will be reviewing and updating their respective Indigenous Employment Strategies to meet their targets. The ABC is actively implementing initiatives tomaximise the retention of Indigenous employees. It is recommended that these strategies be finalised in thesecond quarter of 2018 following the implementation ofour new content team structures.

Refresh of the intranet-based Indigenous Employment and Diversity pageThe Indigenous Employment and Diversity page will berefreshed in the first quarter of 2018 when the new intranet portal is launched. The new intranet site will feature specific information and resources to support managers of Indigenous employees, information on Indigenous cultural protocols and updates on Indigenous programs, initiatives and events occurring across the ABC.

ABC Careers page

An annual refresh of the ABC Careers page will take place to feature new Indigenous cadets and interns in 2018. The page also highlights the benefits of working at the ABC.

Planning and Development of RAP 2019-2021

Planning is underway for the development of the ABC’snext RAP (2019-2021).

ABC Indigenous employees participating in activities with Desert Knowledge Australia staff during the 2017 Indigenous Employee Conference

ABC Stretch RAP Report 2017 · 2018-07-23 · ABC Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan: Report 2 Feb...

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