ABS launches Reconciliation Action Plan (Media Release)

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MEDIA RELEASE
November 14, 2008
107/2008


ABS launches Reconciliation Action Plan

The Reconciliation Action Plan for the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) was launched on Monday 10 November by Brian Pink, the Australian Statistician.

'Our plan outlines actions that the ABS will take to continue forging relationships with Indigenous people and enhance the respect we give to Indigenous culture, as well as acknowledging the contributions of Indigenous people.' Mr Pink said.

'It also builds on the ABS' commitment to leading and coordinating statistical activity involving and relating to Indigenous Australians.

'As well, it states our commitment to recruiting and retaining Indigenous staff and our intention to increase statistical literacy in the Indigenous community.

'The ABS has - for a number of years - had Indigenous engagement managers as a bridge between Indigenous communities and the ABS.

'This collaborative approach has drawn considerable interest from other statistical agencies and reflects the leading role that the ABS has taken in improving indigenous outcomes - both in a statistical and in a community sense."

Also attending Monday's launch was Barbara Livesey, CEO of Reconciliation Australia.

Ms Livesey welcomed the commitment that the ABS was making, and noted that - as the nation's statistical authority - the ABS was uniquely placed in its ability to record and report changes in issues affecting the Indigenous population.

She also praised the long term commitment of the ABS, and that the ABS had developed its approach after broad consultation and was now joining over 100 other Australian organisations with Reconciliation Action Plans in place.