New programs, projects and initiatives
In 2018-19 the directorate worked to deliver a range of new programs, projects and initiatives aimed at making a positive difference to the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT.
As part of the ACT Government’s commitment to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019-28, in 2018-19 CMTEDD undertook a number of actions to maximise employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, support growth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and organisations, and enable Canberra to be an inclusive community that respects diversity.
These actions align with several focus areas in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019-28, including Economic Participation, Inclusive Community and Connecting the Community.
Identified positions in CMTEDD
CMTEDD currently has 15 occupied positions identified for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The directorate established a number of new positions in 2018-19, including a senior officer position in the Policy and Cabinet Division and two identified positions within the newly created ICT Service Desk Traineeship Program in Shared Services. The Shared Service’s program will continue in 2019-20 with a further two identified positions to be created for November 2019 commencement.
A new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Officer position was established within artsACT and an officer commenced in the position in January 2019. This position provides culturally appropriate advice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and works with the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members to continue to develop and deliver specific programs. The new position is an initiative of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Action Plan.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Pathway Program
CMTEDD piloted the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Pathway Program (EPP) in 2018-19. The EPP aimed to develop the career pathways of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through exposure to the venues and events industry. Participants were provided with a range of learning opportunities supporting the operations team at EPIC, GIO Stadium and Manuka Oval before, during and after events. CMTEDD used feedback received following completion of the pilot EPP to develop the next iteration of the program.
CMTEDD, through Corporate and Skills Canberra, has now developed the new EPP. The new program, to be delivered in 2019-20, seeks to further improve on the employment outcomes of participants. A minimum of ten Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students will be employed by CMTEDD as part of the Australian School Based Apprenticeship (ASBA) program. Unlike previous ASBA programs, the students participating in this EPP are guaranteed employment upon successful completion of the program, thereby improving attraction and retention outcomes.
Supporting our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff
In 2018-19, CMTEDD established its first directorate staff network for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders. The Network is led by the Senior Director of the National Arboretum, a Wiradjuri man whose leadership and advice supports the retention and career development of employees, whilst also providing an avenue to strengthen connection with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
The Senior Director of the National Arboretum is a member of the CMTEDD Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group and mentors eight ACT Government employees who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
In the 2018-19 the directorate established a mentoring program with a specific cultural focus, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Program. CMTEDD also delivered the following initiatives in support of creating an inclusive workplace:
- installation of Acknowledgement of Country posters in meeting rooms during 2018;
- the creation of a fact sheet to assist with recruiting to positions identified for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders;
- continued provision of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Awareness Training for CMTEDD staff; and
- promotion and delivery of events for NAIDOC Week and National Reconciliation Week.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Business Development and Entrepreneurship Program
The 2018-19 financial year saw the completion of the first year of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Business Development and Entrepreneurship Program (the Program). The Program committed funding of $200,000 over two years, with $100,000 for the 2018 calendar year.
The Program was delivered under a Service Funding Agreement with local indigenous business
Yerra Pty Ltd and delivered:
- a Canberra business Yarning Circle, which involved the participation of 35 people;
- eight specialist business advice sessions;
- three employability training sessions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students seeking support in finding employment;
- six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-specific workshops; and
- 14 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses were engaged in individual mentoring and strategy including the development of strategic plans.
Year Two of the Program formally commenced on 30 May 2019, with activities to be delivered during the 2019-20 period.
Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism
CMTEDD, through VisitCanberra, supported Dharwra Aboriginal Cultural Tours as part of the annual Export Ready Accelerator Program.
Dharwra Aboriginal Cultural Tours are led by an experienced Aboriginal guide and provide visitors with a deep understanding of Aboriginal culture in and around Canberra. The program provided Dharwra Aboriginal Cultural Tours with training workshops and webinars to enable a better understanding of the international tourism sector and distribution partners.
CMTEDD promoted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism businesses through the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre including:
- Providing an online booking mechanism for Dharwra Aboriginal Cultural Tours;
- Thunderstone Aboriginal Cultural and Land Management Services and Yurbay being engaged to deliver the interpretive Indigenous garden bed located at the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre;
- Display of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural information, including installation of a dedicated space for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander products and art that can be purchased by visitors to the centre; and
- Featuring art gallery space showcasing local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art as well as a broader collection from Burrunju Gallery. The gallery serves to promote the experience available to visitors at Burrunju and the Yarramundi Cultural Centre.
The directorate also commenced work on a Nature Based Tourism Strategy which will help build more capacity among local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to deliver tourism experiences.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Procurement Policy
Following a comprehensive development process, the directorate launched the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Procurement Policy (ATSIPP) on 31 May 2019 with a commencement of 1 July 2019.
The ATSIPP makes ACT Government work more accessible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enterprises. It encourages cultural change within Territory entities undertaking procurement and it reduces barriers to securing government contracts under $200,000. For procurements of less than $200,000 a straightforward exemption from the usual requirement to obtain three quotes can apply. The policy also sets targets to measure progress.
CMTEDD undertook consultation on the policy through a two-stage process. This involved one-on-one meetings with key organisations to shape the policy, and then public consultation including a workshop and the opportunity to submit feedback on the YourSay website.
The directorate has supported implementation of the policy through delivering training to agencies to ensure that procurement officers across government are aware of the policy and understand it. In addition, the ACT Government Procurement ACT website has been updated to facilitate inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enterprises in the Canberra Region Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Enterprise List.
CMTEDD also worked to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in procurement processes through the inclusion of specific assessment criteria. CMTEDD included assessment criteria seeking contractors who have implemented an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation policy as part of procuring suitable head contractors to deliver the More Mental Health Accommodation – Southside Community Setup Step-Down Facility and the Extended Care Unit.
Canberra Wellington Indigenous Artist Exchange
The first Canberra Wellington Indigenous Artist Exchange took place to support cultural exchange as part of the Canberra Wellington Sister City Agreement. This exchange supported an Aboriginal artist, Dean Cross to visit Wellington for a period of six weeks in April of 2019 and brought Maori artist, Ana Iti to Canberra for six weeks in May of 2019. This project is also in fulfilment of objectives outlined in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Action Plan.
Events
CMTEDD acknowledged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans through event programming in 2018-19, including:
- the inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programming content in all events delivered by Events ACT;
- Indigenous performers taking part in a variety of flagship ACT Government events, including five at Floriade 2018 and 12 at Enlighten 2019;
- all events managed by Events ACT featuring either an Acknowledgment of Country or Welcome to Country; and
- the Enlighten Festival featuring a Smoking Ceremony on its first day.
Action Plans
During the reporting period the directorate’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2017-19 (RAP) was completed, with 19 actions and 159 corresponding, discrete deliverables. In 2018-19 the directorate developed the second RAP, the CMTEDD Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-22.
CMTEDD also developed and began implementation of a directorate action plan under the new
ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019-28.
Closing the Gap and National Indigenous Reform Agreement refresh
CMTEDD supported the government’s involvement with the Closing the Gap and National Indigenous Reform Agreement refresh. This included the development of a new Partnership Agreement between Australian governments and the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Bodies, which for the first time gives Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders a direct voice in decision making about Closing the Gap. The ACT, with the Northern Territory and South Australia, was the first state or territory government to sign the Partnership Agreement.
Boomanulla Oval
CMTEDD worked in close partnership with the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body and Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate to reactivate Boomanulla Oval for formal sporting use and as an important hub for the local Indigenous community.
CMTEDD also assisted with event management and marketing support for the planning of the return to Boomanulla Oval community event.
Bush Tucker Garden at the National Arboretum Canberra
The establishment of a new weaving area within the Indigenous Australian Bush Tucker Garden was celebrated with Head of Service, Kathy Leigh, at the National Arboretum Canberra in the area of Southern Tablelands Ecosystem Park (STEP) Forest 20. Plants surrounding this new weaving area included plants used by Ngunnawal people for food, fibre, hunting, and medicines. The Bush Tucker Garden was a commitment in the CMTEDD Reconciliation Action Plan.
Floriade garden bed
National Arboretum Canberra staff, in consultation with ACT Government Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, designed an Indigenous Australian inspired garden bed for Floriade in 2019. CMTEDD acknowledges the National Museum of Australia’s support in providing regional Aboriginal shield collection details to help support the design of this important garden.
CMTEDD collaborated with Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate representatives on a range of Indigenous and Environmental Awareness initiatives that will be in place for the 2019 Floriade festival.
Progress on existing programs, projects and initiatives
During 2018-19, CMTEDD improved, progressed and developed several existing programs, projects and initiatives that benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT. The directorate’s progress included:
Training
Cultural awareness training for ACTPS staff continues to be a priority for CMTEDD as part of the directorate’s commitment to a journey of meaningful reconciliation. Respecting the experiences and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, both within the ACTPS and across the ACT community, will enrich CMTEDD’s workforce and the quality of services we provide to the people of the ACT.
Local training providers (CIT Yurauna Centre, Curijo Pty Ltd and Yerra Pty Ltd) delivered training to staff aimed at increasing understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, histories and achievements.
To improve the delivery of government services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Access Canberra committed to train many of its front-line staff during the reporting period.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Network
In 2018-19 artsACT continued to work with and administer the activities of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Network (Network). The Network has worked with artsACT to progress detailed program proposals for activities to be delivered in the 2019-20 financial year. The themes for these programs include, Elders, Children and Youth, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Accord and an Arts Gathering.
Reconciliation in the Park 2019
CMTEDD, in collaboration with the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs and the ACT Reconciliation Council, promoted and delivered the second Reconciliation in the Park event. Held on 27 May 2019, the event aims to bring together the Canberra community to recognise Reconciliation Day and learn about our national story and our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
The event was inclusive and fun for all the community, aimed at promoting the conversation about reconciliation. The event featured 19 exhibitors, vendors and performers showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander products, services and culture.
Although severely weather affected, an estimated 3,728 people attended the event. Of attendees surveyed, a satisfaction rating of 80% was achieved, with the majority believing that reconciliation is important, they want to learn more about reconciliation; and it is important for Canberra to host community events of this nature each year.
CMTEDD Communications and Engagement promoted Reconciliation in the Park across multiple WoG communications channels including:
- the Our Canberra newsletter, delivered to approximately 187,000 homes;
- the Our Canberra e-newsletter, distributed to almost 50,000 Canberrans; and
- social media posts, which achieved a combined reach of more than 25,000 people.
The National Arboretum Canberra participated in Reconciliation Day for the first time in 2019, with an information stand showcasing the recently completed Bush Tucker Garden.
Information campaigns
CMTEDD, through Access Canberra, engaged with ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community groups to raise awareness of fair-trading issues via the National Indigenous Consumer Strategy (NICS) Action Plan. The current focus for the NICS project relates to scams affecting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community with an emphasis on warning signs and key characteristics. Access Canberra has actively participated in this project through an information campaign.
Improvements to the Canberra Region Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Enterprise List
The directorate improved the Canberra Region Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Enterprise List published on the Procurement ACT website by broadening the definition from ‘business’ to ‘enterprise’. This enables organisation types such as community controlled organisations to access opportunities under the ATSIPP. The number of certifying entities has also been increased to further support inclusion of new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enterprises on the Enterprise List.
Continuing support of the Commonwealth’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy
CMTEDD continued delivery of the Indigenous Small Grants Program, funded through the Commonwealth’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy. Through partnerships with major peak sporting organisations and the maintenance of an online application portal, this Program provided assistance to 380 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT and region to participate in structured, regular sport and physical activity.
ACTPS Vocational Employment Program
The directorate continues to participate in the ACTPS Vocational Employment Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, employing four trainees through the 2018 Program (three in Access Canberra and one in Infrastructure Finance and Capital Works). CMTEDD also provides pastoral care and support to trainees recruited through the program.
Other initiatives
Other work in 2018-19 to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people included:
- the continued inclusion of the Reconciliation category in the 2019 CMTEDD Staff Awards program;
- the second round of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Career Development and Retention Program; and
- NAIDOC leave provisions in the enterprise agreements were extended to allow non-Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Island workers to take leave to participate in NAIDOC Week activities.
Further information can be obtained from
Robert Wright
Executive Group Manager
Corporate
+61 2 6207 0569
Robert.Wright@act.gov.au