The Department of Communications and the Arts has released its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
Entitled Our Shared Journey Towards Reconciliation, the RAP outlines the actions the Department plans to take and the initiatives it seeks to employ to improve opportunities for its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
Secretary of the Department, Mike Mrdak (pictured) said the communications and arts sectors were key enablers of Australia’s economic and social success and touched the lives of all Australians.
“In much of the work that we do, we — along with our portfolio Agencies — are uniquely placed to have a positive impact on reconciliation,” Mr Mrdak said.
“Many of our arts and culture policies and programs also have a vital role to play in our reconciliation journey.”
He said these included the ongoing commitment to preserve and celebrate Indigenous languages, to repatriate Indigenous ancestral remains to country and to provide support for Indigenous art centres across Australia.
“I commit to all of the actions outlined in this RAP. Within the Department, this includes cultural awareness training, a pilot mentoring program, secondment opportunities and cross-portfolio training for Indigenous staff — and continuing to support, maintain and increase our Indigenous workforce,” the Secretary said.
“I call on all staff to consider how their work affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, both within the Department and externally.”
He said reconciliation was everyone’s responsibility and it would take commitment from all to deliver on the foundation RAP actions in a practical and meaningful way.
The Department’s 32-page RAP can be accessed at this PS News link.
