Reconciliation Australia congratulates the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) on the endorsement of its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which will build the foundations for the relationships, respect and opportunities essential to reconciliation.

This Reflect RAP demonstrates ANAO’s dedication to contribute to reconciliation by developing an effective RAP governance model, and building the case for future commitments to cultural learning, practicing cultural protocols, and promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment.

In its first RAP, ANAO has committed to developing and maintaining relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, communities and peoples, as highlighted in its actionable goal to celebrate and promote national reconciliation events such as National Reconciliation Week (NRW).

ANAO’s commitment to displaying respect and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures is demonstrated through its aim to create an intranet page for staff containing guidance and information on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocols.

ANAO’s dedication to providing opportunities and employment pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is communicated through its commitment to ensuring that all recruitment advertisements encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply.

On behalf of Reconciliation Australia,  I commend ANAO on its inaugural RAP and look forward to following its reconciliation journey.

Karen Mundine
Chief Executive Officer
Reconciliation Australia

I am pleased to present the ANAO’s inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Our RAP demonstrates our strong commitment to reconciliation within the ANAO and our commitment to diversity.

This plan was developed by the ANAO’s RAP Working Group in consultation with Reconciliation Australia, and with input from staff from across the organisation. It outlines practical ways in which the ANAO will undertake its reconciliation journey, recognising the importance of reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non- Indigenous peoples. We believe in respecting, acknowledging and valuing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through promoting diversity and improving the way we do our business.

Our vision is to create a welcoming environment which is inclusive and provides opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have the opportunity to positively contribute to all areas of the organisation.

The ANAO looks forward to working in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Islander peoples to build respectful relationships, a shared understanding, learning and success.

Grant Hehir
Auditor-General

The ANAO confirms its commitment to reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through the development and implementation of this Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). We acknowledge that the process for achieving meaningful and lasting Reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous peoples is the responsibility of all Australians, and that true Reconciliation requires a shared understanding and acknowledgement of past histories and how this affects the present day.

Our RAP vision is to continue to build upon cultural awareness within our organisation to create a work place where all people can share experiences in an inclusive environment that is culturally safe and diverse. We will actively promote the involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our organisation. We will work in  collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Islander peoples to build respectful relationships that support our vision of becoming an employer of choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Our business

The ANAO is a specialist public sector audit practice which supports the Auditor-General by providing a range of independent audit and assurance services to the Parliament and Commonwealth entities. The purpose of the ANAO is to improve public sector performance and support accountability and transparency in the Australian Government sector through independent reporting to the Parliament, the Executive and the public. We do this primarily by conducting performance audits, financial statement audits, and assurance reviews.
 
At 31 December 2017, the ANAO employed 291 staff, of whom one identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. The ANAO is a nationally focused organisation reflecting the Auditor-General’s mandate and the ANAO’s purpose. Its office is located in Canberra.

In December 2009, the functions of the former Office of Evaluation and Audit (Indigenous Programs) were transferred from the Department of Finance and Deregulation to the ANAO. As a consequence, the ANAO’s performance audit program from 2010 was expanded to include a greater number of audits focusing on Indigenous-specific programs.

The ANAO currently conducts Financial Statement Audits of around 40 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entities and performance audits of the design and delivery of programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by departments and agencies including the Departments of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Education, Employment, Health and Aging and Agriculture and Water Resources. The Auditor- General’s Annual Audit Work Program maintains a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs because of their importance to the Parliament and the community.

Our RAP

We have developed our first RAP to recognise the importance of Reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non- Indigenous peoples. We believe in respecting, acknowledging and valuing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through promoting diversity and improving the way we do our business.

For many years, we have participated in the Graduate Program through the Australian Public Service Commission’s Indigenous Pathways program. We have employed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates, supported employees to be seconded to Aboriginal organisations and we have also developed a relationship with Indigenous Accountants Australia. We have elements of Cultural Awareness within our current Learning and Development area and will build upon this to expand the knowledge of our employees.

We established a NAIDOC Committee in 2012 and the members have all been active in promoting, supporting and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

We have held internal NAIDOC events inviting local Aboriginal people to attend and lead sessions as well as participating in external NAIDOC events across Canberra. We commenced the annual celebration of National Reconciliation week in 2016. Our RAP will enable us to continue and grow our reconciliation journey.

We provide staff with the opportunity to take part in our RAP Working Group through an annual voluntary expression of interest process. The RAP Working Group is responsible for implementation of the RAP and ensuring effective governance by reporting to the ANAO People and Change Committee. The RAP Working Group is responsible for driving the RAP initiatives and providing regular updates to all employees within the ANAO, including publishing an annual report. The head of the ANAO’s Corporate Management Branch is the RAP’s champion at the executive level.

The RAP Working Group comprises the following positions:

• Chair
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Communications Liaison
• Diversity Contact Officer
• Research Coordinator
• Reconciliation Week Coordinator
• NAIDOC Week Coordinator

We have engaged an Aboriginal business to support the development of our first Reflect RAP. Two Aboriginal staff from Curijo Pty Ltd supported the development of the RAP through design, development and facilitation of a RAP session. Attendance at the session was through an expression of interest process open for any employee within the ANAO to attend and have input. We have also engaged an Aboriginal design company to facilitate the visual design of this document.

Our partnerships/current activities

Our current activities and partnerships which promote and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and businesses include:

• participating in the Australian Public Service Commission’s Indigenous programs through the Commonwealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy;
• working alongside Indigenous Accountants Australia to develop relationships early with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying accounting; and
• participating in the Jawun Indigenous Community Secondment Program.

We are proud of the activities we hold to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures during NAIDOC Week. These have included:

• installation of a plaque acknowledging the traditional custodians within our office;
• learning more about the local Ngunnawal culture, its people and its history;
• participation in group paintings with an Aboriginal artist; and
• participation in cultural workshops facilitated by Aboriginal people.

We held our first National Reconciliation Week activity in 2016, with staff attending the Reconciliation Lecture delivered by the CEO of Reconciliation Australia. It was a great success and contributed to our journey and the discussions in relation to developing our first RAP.

We recognise and respect that relationships are fundamental to reconciliation. We will work collaboratively and respectfully with all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations. Our employees will continue to develop and build upon skills and knowledge as well as have access to resources to respectfully, effectively and professionally engage and build strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations.

Respect is the key component to building strong, effective and professional relationships. Respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and histories are fundamental in strengthening reconciliation and equality within Australia. The ANAO is committed to diversity and will further develop respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations.

The ANAO recognises the importance of providing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations which contribute to the needs and growth in all areas of business. Recognising the significant contributions from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and what this can bring to the organisation will be a key part of the implementation of the RAP.

The ANAO must ensure tracking and progress of all programs to ensure accountability in the implementation of the RAP.