Yumalundi!
Welcome to PM&C’s Innovate RAP July 2021–June 2023. This is the Department’s sixth RAP, and we are proud to acknowledge the ongoing commitment from staff towards reconciliation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. At PM&C it’s our mission to improve the lives of all Australians. To do this, we must ensure that our policy development and advice is informed by the diverse perspectives and experiences of people across our vast country. Seeking out and valuing the knowledge of Australia’s First Nations peoples – and deploying this knowledge – ensures the development of innovative and fit for purpose solutions to contemporary policy challenges.
We are eager to see the deliverables of this Innovate RAP be realised. The refreshed pathways and opportunities presented allow the Department to strengthen current practice, and mature and develop other reconciliation initiatives. This RAP is aligned with the Commonwealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Strategy 2020–24, and we are proud to work across our portfolio to invest in sustained progress which helps the Australian Public Service (APS) build an inclusive workforce that is capable of responding to the needs of the Australian community.
PM&C’s Innovate RAP July 2021–June 2023 supports the Australian Government’s commitment under the new National Agreement on Closing the Gap to change how we work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Actions in the plan will contribute to priority reforms under the Agreement, in particular, strengthening partnerships with stakeholders and transforming our organisation so we can better serve First Nations peoples. Drawing on its influencing position at the centre of Government, PM&C is well placed to take a leadership role across the APS in advising on the structural change required so that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them.
In July 2019, the PM&C Indigenous Affairs Group became a new executive agency – the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) – within the PM&C portfolio. PM&C works closely to support the work of the NIAA by providing a broad range of shared services to support the Agency to implement the Government’s policies and programs to work in partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Together, we extend our gratitude to the RAP Working Group (RAPWG) for their efforts to develop our new RAP and invite every PM&C employee to consider how they will give life to its intent to create culturally inclusive and safe space for our First Nations staff and stakeholders.
Secretary
Reconciliation Champion