1011.0 - ABS Reconciliation Action Plan, 2018-21  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 28/08/2018   
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STRATEGY 1: BUILD AND STRENGTHEN OUR RELATIONSHIPS

Creating and maintaining strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations is critical to ensuring our statistical collections accurately represent their contribution to Australian society.

We need to:

  • build on the relationships we have with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees, business and organisations and
  • extend these relationships to our stakeholders and the community.

STRATEGY 1: DESIRED RESULTS
We actively support and promote Reconciliation within our organisation, our sector, and the community, through understanding, recognising, valuing and respecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our relationships ensure we can accurately engage and represent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and businesses in our statistical collections
ActionsDesired ResultsTimelinesResponsibilitySupporting Partners
A1. Actively monitor RAP development and implementation.We have a Reference Group that:
  • has agreed Terms of Reference
  • includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • has issued expressions of interest for membership to appropriate community members
  • meets at least four times per year to monitor and report on RAP implementation.
Review February annually Program Manager, People Services Branch Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reference Group
Youmpla Network
We have an internal senior management RAP Champion. Review December annually
Our Reconciliation Action Plan:
  • was developed, endorsed and launched in partnership with our Reference Group
By September 2018
  • is included as a standing agenda item at high-level meetings (where relevant)
By December 2018
  • has key identified actions embedded in the performance agreements of senior management employees.
By December 2018
A2. Celebrate National Reconciliation Week, to strengthen and maintain relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and other employees and to build relationships with the local community. Our events:
  • include at least one internal event in each ABS Office each year
  • are registered on Reconciliation Australia’s website
  • include opportunities for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees to connect and share experiences with each other, with other ABS employees and the community (where appropriate)
  • include opportunities for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community members to connect and share their experiences with our employees.
27 May – 3 June, annually Program Manager, People Services Branch Office Support Units
Youmpla Network
Our employees are encouraged and supported to participate in at least one internal and/or external National Reconciliation Week event each year. 27 May – 3 June, annually Program Manager, People Services Branch Youmpla Network
SES
Directors and Managers
We actively promote external National Reconciliation Week events to employees.
A3. Maintain and leverage mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations to support positive outcomes. We have engagement plan(s) for working with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders (local and national) that includes:
  • guiding principles for future engagement informed by local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, and
  • support the development of joint ventures, secondments and community capacity opportunities.
By March 2019
Review March annually
Director, Centre of Excellence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statistics Youmpla Network
Reconciliation Champions
People Services Branch
  • ABS Standard Procedures for Working in and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities; and ABS Cultural Protocols for ABS employees Engaging and Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Review October annually
Our statistical releases involve an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander spokesperson (where appropriate). Ongoing
Review annually (as publications requires)
Director, Centre of Excellence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statistics Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reference Group
Reconciliation Champions
Youmpla Network
Communication and Parliamentary Section
SES
A4. Raise internal and external awareness of our RAP to promote reconciliation across our business and sector. Our RAP communication plan includes:
  • engagement with internal and relevant external stakeholders
  • active engagement with Senior Leaders to deliver RAP outcomes, for example has key identified actions for senior management employees.
By September 2018
Review July annually
Program Manager, People Services Branch Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reference Group
Reconciliation Champions
Youmpla Network
SES
We encourage and support our employees to participate in the Youmpla Network. Ongoing
Review quarterly
Program Manager, People Services Branch Reconciliation Champions
Youmpla Network
We actively participate in the APS Indigenous Champions Network. Ongoing
Monthly as required
Senior Reconciliation Champion Reconciliation Champions
People Services Branch
A5. Lead development of improved Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statistics and engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities through the Centre of Excellence. We build and maintain our relationships and networks with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations:
  • via our Engagement Managers, who provide information on the ABS approach to, and implementation of, ABS Surveys and Census activities to ensure that are culturally appropriate, valued and easy to use
  • to encourage increased levels of participation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in ABS surveys and the Census
  • supporting them to make informed decisions about themselves, their families and their communities by ensuring appropriate materials are available on use of and access to statistical information.
By December 2021, with annual review Director, Centre of Excellence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statistics Statistics Division
SES
People Services Branch
A6. Provide information and expertise to inform and support measurement, monitoring and decision making related to government initiatives, including Closing the Gap. We maintain and develop engagement and partnerships with all levels of government and other key partners across Australia:
  • with a focus on identified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, for example Northern Australia and Western Sydney
  • to develop increased analytical expertise and access to ABS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander data
  • to inform policy, data strategy and collection that improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and other statistics programs, which contribute to government initiatives. For example:
    • Identification of life expectancy and mortality rates (birth and deaths)
    • Census of Population and Housing
    • National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS)
By December 2021, with annual review Director, Centre of Excellence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statistics Population and Social Statistics Division
Census Branch
Health and Disability Statistics Branch
SES
People Services Branch