Relationships
Building and sustaining strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is important to PM&C to meet our mission to improve the lives of all Australians. To design and deliver inclusive and culturally safe policies and programs we need to realise the needs and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. By sustaining a diverse, inclusive and culturally safe workplace, PM&C will demonstrate leadership across the APS in how we build and benefit from strong partnerships with our First Nations staff and stakeholders.
Focus area: The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet recognises that collaborative relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is key to receiving strategic and coordinated advice that inform our policy development and support the implementation of the Government’s key priorities and activities.
| Action | Deliverable | Timeline | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Establish and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations. | Build a community of trusted advisors with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations. | December 2021 | Reconciliation Champion |
| Develop and implement a whole of PM&C Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Stakeholder Engagement Plan in partnership with the Community of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trusted advisors. The Plan will include guiding principles for how we work and engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations. | June 2022 | Reconciliation Champion | |
| 2. Build relationships through celebrating National Reconciliation Week (NRW). | NRW resources, materials and events from Reconciliation Australia, PM&C and other relevant sources are promoted to staff and the wider community. | March–May 2022 March–May 2023 |
Chief People Officer |
| RAPWG members will participate in an external NRW event. | May 2022 May 2023 |
Reconciliation Champion | |
| Staff and senior leaders are encouraged and supported to participate in at least one external event to recognise and celebrate NRW. | May 2022 May 2023 |
Reconciliation Champion | |
| Three NRW events are organised each year to raise awareness of reconciliation and build connections among participants. Where possible, events will be made accessible to all staff through livestreaming. | May 2022 May 2023 |
Chief People Officer | |
| The community of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trusted advisors are invited to PM&C NRW events. | May 2022 May 2023 |
Reconciliation Champion | |
| At least one NRW event is held in collaboration with other Commonwealth agencies. | May 2022 May 2023 |
Chief People Officer | |
| PM&C’s NRW events are registered on Reconciliation Australia’s NRW website and on the PM&C website. | May 2022 May 2023 |
Chief People Officer | |
| 3. Promote reconciliation through our sphere of influence. | Develop a strategic plan to engage all staff in reconciliation activity. | December 2021 | Reconciliation Champion |
| In accordance with the aforementioned strategic plan, strategies are implemented to engage staff in reconciliation. | April 2022 April 2023 |
Reconciliation Champion | |
| The commitment to reconciliation is communicated publicly through our digital RAP and other social media and communications platforms which reflects our reconciliation pathways and progress. | December 2021 June and December 2022 June 2023 |
Communications Branch Assistant Secretary | |
| Opportunities are explored, including leveraging PM&C’s position in the centre of government and leader of the APS, to positively infl uence our external stakeholders to drive reconciliation outcomes. | June and December 2022 June 2023 |
Reconciliation Champion | |
| Collaborate with the Small Agencies HR Forum to present at meetings and share RAP experiences and resources with agencies of similar size and service. | March 2022 | Chief People Officer | |
| Collaborate with RA and other like-minded organisations to develop ways to advance reconciliation and share PM&C’s experiences and learnings. | June 2022 | Reconciliation Champion | |
| 4. Promote positive race relations through anti-discrimination strategies. | HR policies and procedures are reviewed to ensure that existing anti-discrimination policies provide for a safe, positive and supportive environment. | June 2022 June 2023 |
Chief People Officer |
| Maintain the Appropriate Workplace Behaviour Policy which commits to promoting and maintaining a culture of courtesy and respect in the workplace. | February 2022 | Chief People Officer | |
| Engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives, including the Mara Network, on policies that focus on inappropriate workplace behaviours, including discrimination. | June 2022 June 2023 |
Chief People Officer | |
| Empower all staff, including senior leaders, to be advocates of and model anti-racist and anti-discriminatory behaviours and culture through the provision of learning and educational opportunities to educate and raise awareness on the effects of racism. | June 2022 June 2023 |
Chief People Officer | |
| Social media platforms and external websites www.pmc.gov.au and www.indigenous.gov.au are used to advise and promote events and key resources that inform the Australian community of PM&C’s dedication to anti-discrimination. | December 2021 June and December 2022 June 2023 |
Communications Branch Assistant Secretary |