Diversity & Inclusion Annual Report 2019-20

2020 -

2019

Annual Report Report Annual & INCLUSION DIVERSITY

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 Contents

Planning and reporting context 4 About the ABC’s diversity and inclusion program 6 The year in review 12 Engaging with diverse audiences 18 Entertainment highlights 24 Celebrating events and significant days 30 Performance 36 Gender 36 Disability 42 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Australians 48 Cultural and linguistic diversity 54

LGBTQI+ 60

The ABC acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work. The ABC pays respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and emerging.

Cover: Deborah Mailman in Total Control. Right: The cast of Hardball. The ABC acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work. The ABC pays respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and emerging.

3 Planning and reporting context

4 The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is Australia’s national public broadcaster and was established as a statutory corporation under the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 (The ABC Act). The ABC Act, which includes the ABC Charter, sets out the functions and duties of the Corporation. The Charter requires the Corporation to provide content that contributes to a sense of national identity, reflects the cultural diversity of the Australian community and takes account of the multicultural character of the Australian community. As a Commonwealth authority employer, the ABC is bound by the provisions of the Equal Employment Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987 (EEO Act), the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, the Sex Discrimination Act 1984, the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986, the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, the Age Discrimination Act 2004 and the Fair Work Act 2009. The EEO Act requires the ABC to promote equal opportunity in employment across four designated groups: women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from a non-English speaking background (NESB) and people with disability. The ABC has traditionally used the term ‘non-English speaking background’ or NESB when referring to culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) representation in the workforce. Since the launch of the Diversity & Inclusion Plan 2019-2022, the ABC stopped using the NESB terminology, referring only to CALD. This report is made under the provisions of section 9(2) of the EEO Act and provides an overview of the ABC’s diversity profile and performance against the four designated groups in the EEO Act. The report also features key content and initiatives relevant to the Corporation’s broader diversity and inclusion commitments under the ABC Charter. The report covers the period from 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2020.

Left: Aaron Pedersen in Mystery Road. 5 About the ABC’s diversity and inclusion program

6 The ABC released its Five-Year Plan1 in June 2020 re-affirming its commitment to its diversity and Indigenous strategy. The Plan outlines the fact that Australia has one of the most culturally diverse populations in the world, with 26% of Australians born overseas. Australia is forecast to be a nation of 30 million people by 2030. The rapid population growth and increasing diversity represents an opportunity for the ABC to reflect the national identity by giving a voice to diverse Australia. This includes people from different genders, ages, sexual orientations, social backgrounds and people with disabilities. The engagement and involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is also a key part of the ABC’s strategy. The ABC’s current Diversity & Inclusion Plan 2019-22 and the Elevate RAP underpin and support the initiatives of the Five-Year Plan.

1 https://about.abc. net.au/wp-content/ uploads/2020/06/ABC- Left: The cast FiveYearPlan_FINAL-1.pdf of The Heights. 7 About the ABC’s diversity and inclusion program

Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2019-2022 The Diversity & Inclusion Plan2 provides a strategic roadmap to help the ABC develop an inclusive culture throughout the Corporation. The Plan covers a three-year period from 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2022 and was developed after extensive consultation with the ABC divisions, diversity champions, external industry partners and specialist organisations. The Plan focuses on five key diversity areas – Cultural and linguistic Diversity (CALD), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Disability, Gender and LGBTQI+. The workforce targets are distributed and increase over the duration of the Plan.

2 http://about.abc. net.au/wp-content/ uploads/2019/11/ABC- Diversity-Inclusion- 8 ABC DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 Plan-201922.pdf Table of Diversity Targets Timeline

Date Women Women CALD CALD Indigenous Disability Executives Technologists Executives Content Makers 2022 50% 20% 15% 15% 3.6% 8% Target 2021 49.5% 18.75% 12.5% 13% 3.4% 7% Target 2020 49% 17.5% 10% 11% 3.2% 6% Target

The Plan is centred around three strategic goals: 1. A diverse community: To recruit, develop and retain a diverse workforce that reflects the make-up of the Australian community 2. An inclusive workplace culture: To foster a workplace culture that is inclusive, collaborative and accountable and supports the talent and diversity of our people 3. Inclusive content, products and services: To reflect and represent the diversity of the Australian community in our content, products and the services we provide

9 About the ABC’s diversity and inclusion program

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2019-2022 The ABC’s Elevate RAP 3 champions initiatives that recognise and embrace Australia’s Indigenous history and cultures. This includes the ABC’s commitment to Indigenous content across its media platforms, strengthening employment and business opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and building closer relationships with Indigenous communities. The Elevate RAP also includes a new commitment to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, voices and names within the ABC’s programs, so that this may become a part of the vocabulary of the nation. The Plan has been operational since July 2019. The ABC is one of only 25 organisations in Australia to be invited by Reconciliation Australia to develop an Elevate RAP, which is the highest form of RAP. The ABC was offered the opportunity to undertake an Elevate RAP because of the significant progress it had made under previous RAPs. Governance and responsibility The ABC has established a governance structure to guide and track its approach and ensure top-down accountability for diversity and inclusion outcomes across the Corporation. Under this structure, the ABC’s Managing Director and Leadership Team hold overall responsibility for the Diversity and Inclusion program, with appropriate targets and strategies included in their performance objectives.

3 https://about.abc. net.au/wp-content/ uploads/2019/11/ ABCElevate 10 ABC DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 RAP201922.pdf The Diversity & Inclusion Diversity Data Standing Committee Workforce The Diversity and Inclusion Standing The ABC seeks Equal Employment Committee (DISC) supports and makes Opportunity (EEO) data from employees recommendations on diversity and upon commencement of their employment. inclusion matters to the ABC Leadership Provision of this data is voluntary and Team. Members of the DISC are senior employees have the option to update their representatives of ABC divisions (who lead information at any point. Additionally, EEO their divisions in implementing their action data is sought from applicants for all vacant plan), the Chair-people of the ABC’s Employee positions advertised as part of the online Network Groups and the Chair of the Bonner recruitment process. At the end of August Committee. The work of the DISC helps 2020, 77.4% of all ABC employees had elected to prioritise diversity at the highest level to provide EEO data. Quarterly reports are of the Corporation. provided to divisional diversity leads and the ABC Leadership Team which tracks the ABC’s The Bonner Committee progress in meeting its diversity targets. The Bonner Committee is the ABC’s primary advisory body on issues relating to Aboriginal Content and Torres Strait Islander staff, content, Significant progress has been made by and communities. It is also responsible the ABC in tracking diversity in content. for monitoring progress against the ABC’s Modelled on the BBC’s 50:50 project, ABC Elevate RAP. Its members are a mix of News and Current Affairs are monitoring and Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff drawn improving the representation of women in from around the country. The Chair reports content. Across all platforms, the overall ABC to the Managing Director on matters arising News weekly reach in 2020 increased to 48% from the Committee’s work. female representation compared to 43% in 2019. In July 2020, ABC News partnered with the BBC to pilot tracking ethnicity, Indigenous and disability in content. Regional and Local (R&L) content teams have been tracking their content against a range of categories to assess how effectively the content is reflecting Australia’s diversity. Training videos have also been created for R&L content makers on the inclusion of diverse perspectives in their stories. Entertainment and Specialist have created a dynamic search tool to explore on-screen diversity representation across genre or individual program level. 11 The year in review

Total ABC employees:

VIC 692

4224 NSW 2163 QLD 455 SA WA 278 ACT 218 164

TAS 132 O/S 13 NT 109 WOMEN in Executive in Content roles: Maker roles:

50.7% 55.3%

12 35-44 30% 45-54 26% M F AGE PROFILE 45.7 54.1 25-34 25% Median age: 43.95 Median age: 40.67 55-64 15%

GENDER UNDER 25 3% 65+ 2% DIVERSE 0.2 Median age: 37.9

CALD 8.4% 9.5% 13.9% Culturally and in Executive roles in Content Total CALD linguistically diverse Maker roles employees

DISABILITY INDIGENOUS 4.6% 2.9% * Numbers and percentages on pg 12 and 13 based on Total Head Total employees Total Indigenous Count, excluding casual employees. with a disability employees Data as at 31-08-20. 13 The year in review

During the reporting period, the first year of the ABC’s Diversity and Inclusion Plan (the Plan) was completed. The ABC has also had its first Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan (the RAP) in place since 1 July 2019. In relation to workforce objectives under the Plan, the ABC achieved its women executive target at 50.7% (August 2020) against the overall target of 50%. This has increased from 48.6% in the previous reporting period (August 2019). The ABC also achieved its 2020 target for women technologists at 17.9% against a target of 17.5%. The Plan also aims to increase Indigenous representation to 3.2% by 2020. Currently, the ABC’s Indigenous representation is at 2.9% (August 2020). A targeted Indigenous recruitment strategy is expected to increase the Indigenous employment representation. The ABC has not met its targets for cultural diversity, with workforce representation of culturally diverse content makers measuring at 9.5% (August 2020) against the 2020 target of 11% and representation of culturally diverse executives measuring at 8.4% (August 2020) against a target of 10%. Progress with employees with disability also remains an area of concern with the representation of employees with disability measuring at 4.6% against the 2020 target of 6%. The ABC recognises the need to increase workforce representation in these target groups and is implementing practices to achieve these goals.

14 ABC DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 Key diversity and inclusion projects The ABC had key events to celebrate for the reporting period include: diversity and inclusion. These included: • ABC Divisional Action Plans to achieve • The launch of the RAP. workforce targets and content plans • Mardi Gras – ABC Pride entered a to reflect contemporary Australia. float in Mardi Gras for the first time. • Reviewing and enhancing the ABC’s • Reconciliation Week. ability to recruit for diversity by • Global Accessibility Awareness Day. enhancing the ABC’s image as a diverse employer and reviewing recruitment • International Women’s Day. processes to enhance the ABC’s ability to • International Day of People select on merit and increase diversity in with Disabilities. our workforce simultaneously. While there has been significant progress in • The launch of an Indigenous the launch of many programs and initiatives, recruitment strategy. the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted key • The establishment of Employee aspects of the ABC’s diversity strategy. Network Groups, including ABC Belong This included: (for culturally and linguistically diverse • Non-urgent recruitment was put on employees and allies), ABC Inclusive hold, impacting the organisation’s ability (for staff with disability) and ongoing to recruit for diversity and will likely support for ABC Pride (for the LGBTQI+ impact 2020 diversity targets. community). The Indigenous recruitment strategy • Establishing diversity Key Performance was also put on hold. Indicators for the ABC’s Leadership Team. • Key Indigenous initiatives at risk • Ensuring diversity and inclusion is a included the Jawun secondments standing agenda item at ABC Divisional and the Indigenous staff conference. Executive meetings. • NAIDOC week celebrations were delayed • Creating training modules to enhance until November 2020. awareness of diversity including • Walking Together content initiatives Indigenous cultural awareness training, were rescheduled and plans to celebrate Indigenous language lessons, Disability Reconciliation Week moved to an Awareness Training, and LGBTQI+ online format. awareness. • An ABC staff Harmony Day event was cancelled.

15 The year in review

The ABC has also seen unprecedented volumes of interactions by audiences on social media with the heightened demand for news especially in relation to COVID-19. However, the demand also resulted in the increased risk of cyber bullying of staff and talent, with diverse groups often the target. This was especially evident during the Black Lives Matter protest coverage as well as the broadcast of The Australian Dream earlier in 2020. In supporting the ongoing issue of cyber safety and the wellbeing of ABC staff and talent, the Cyber Safety Steering Committee was established. The committee monitors trends and provides guidance to enhance the safety of staff and audiences. The ABC remains committed to implementing its diversity and inclusion strategy during the life of the plan and has confirmed this in its Five-Year Plan.

Right: Asian Leadership Project Sydney 2019 End of Year event. (L-R) Pamela Tran, Masheila Pillay, Archie Sharma, Julie Chai (Asian Leadership Project), Siubhan Watt, Anita Chan and Cinda Viranna.

16 ABC DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 The ABC has also seen unprecedented volumes of interactions Working from home policy Work-life balance by audiences on social media with the heightened demand The ABC has Working from Home Guidelines The ABC is committed to encouraging for news especially in relation to COVID-19. However, the to facilitate working from home requests. employees to take a holistic approach to demand also resulted in the increased risk of cyber bullying The focus is to facilitate timely consideration work-life balance. To help employees manage of staff and talent, with diverse groups often the target. This of requests and suitable arrangements their circumstances a range of flexible was especially evident during the Black Lives Matter protest without compromising safety. Provisions policies and practices have been designed. coverage as well as the broadcast of The Australian Dream are made to support employees remotely These policies are used widely within the earlier in 2020. with technology, including remote helpdesk ABC, offering different options depending In supporting the ongoing issue of cyber safety and support and ergonomic videos to ensure on individual needs. the wellbeing of ABC staff and talent, the Cyber Safety employees are set up to work correctly. These include: Steering Committee was established. The committee monitors • Flexible working hours trends and provides guidance to enhance the safety of staff Memberships and audiences. The ABC remains committed to implementing • Part-time hours its diversity and inclusion strategy during the life of the plan The ABC continues to be a member of • Job share several key national diversity organisations, and has confirmed this in its Five-Year Plan. • Purchased additional leave including the Diversity Council of Australia, Australian Network on Disability, Pride in • Study assistance Diversity, Screen Diversity Inclusion Network, • Working from home; was recently the NSW Equal Employment Opportunity updated to better cater for the high Practitioners’ Association (NEEOPA) volume of employees working remotely and the Asian Leadership Project. These in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. memberships give access to advice and The ABC also recognises that many staff are expertise on external equity, diversity carers of young children and elderly people and inclusion best practices and assist the and this impacts their work-life balance. Corporation in keeping up to date. Therefore, the ABC has arrangements in The Asian Leadership Project is an initiative place to support employees to manage these dedicated to advancing Asian and culturally responsibilities. Resources include access to diverse talent into leadership positions. the online Eldercare toolkit which caters for As part of its membership, diverse staff employees responsible for taking care of an from across Australia have attended elder parent, friend or relative. The resource masterclasses, special events, career compiles relevant information with a focus coaching and mentoring sessions. on the unique issues faced as a carer for an elderly person.

17 Engaging with diverse audiences

“Tell stories from COVID-19 coverage Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic ABC more places, listening News, Analysis and Investigations aimed to reach all Australians with the latest news to local communities and information. This included producing to uncover their daily updates of key information for the ABC’s in-language Chinese and Bahasa perspectives, Indonesian news services and collaborating with SBS to provide links to its in-language experiences and content. During COVID-19, public health information was posted across ABC social concerns, and media channels in Simplified Chinese, bringing them Vietnamese, Tok Pisin and Arabic. ABC Radio Melbourne supported residents into national in lockdown in Melbourne’s public housing conversations” towers by setting up a hotline for audiences to leave messages of support in a range ABC Five-Year Plan of languages that were played on-air. From January to June 2020, audience engagement with the ABC’s Chinese service saw substantial growth with 4.4 million page views. This was double the total amount of page views for 2019. In the Pacific, both English and in-language programs kept audiences informed of the latest developments via Radio Australia on-air and on-line, and through a network of partner stations throughout the region.

18 ABC DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 Local community engagement The work on the COVID-19 coverage follows efforts made by News, Analysis and Investigations to more actively engage with CALD communities where they live and work. In the second half of 2019 the Asia Pacific Newsroom had a team of reporters spend seven days in Box Hill, Victoria, building connections and telling the stories of the major Chinese-Australian population. The Victorian Newsroom spent time in the western suburb of Tarneit, building relationships with the large Indian-Australian population. These pilot initiatives were funded under the ABC Australia Talks project. The Box Hill project was awarded a Quill Award from the Melbourne Press Club for reporting on cultural diversity. Regional and Local teams also attend and broadcast from cultural festivals throughout Australia. These include: • ABC Perth at the three-day Diwali Mela multicultural festival. • ABC Canberra broadcasting from the National Multicultural Festival. • ABC Far North and Indigenous radio station Bumma Bippera working together on a program which was broadcast across both stations simultaneously. • ABC Sydney’s co-production with Koori Radio to cover the Yabun Festival.

Above: Social graphics created by ABC News.

19 Engaging with diverse audiences

Australia Talks In October 2019, the ABC launched Australia Talks, a ground-breaking, research-based initiative to better understand life in modern Australia and start important conversations. Central to the project was a focus on diversity and inclusion in both content and staffing. The principal digital offering was an interactive online tool, which helped people understand how they fit in modern Australia. The tool was made available in four languages – English, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese and Arabic — to reach as many people in the Australian community as possible. The Australia Talks TV show included familiar and respected faces including Annabel Crabb, Waleed Aly, Steph Tisdell and Adam Liaw. Behind the scenes, the program provided career opportunities for content makers from diverse backgrounds.

Above: The ABC’s Annabel Crabb hosted the Australia Talks live show and was joined by The Project’s Waleed Aly as co-host (Photo: Ben King).

20 ABC DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 Australia Talks The project engaged people through dozens of community events around In October 2019, the ABC launched the country, including: Australia Talks, a ground-breaking, research-based initiative to better • Members of the Chinese community understand life in modern Australia and attended a forum in Melbourne to discuss start important conversations. Central to how the ABC can better serve their needs. the project was a focus on diversity and • Multicultural groups joined a discussion inclusion in both content and staffing. at Sunnybank in Brisbane to examine the best ways for the ABC to engage across The principal digital offering was an many diverse communities. interactive online tool, which helped people understand how they fit in modern The project provided a Content Innovation Australia. The tool was made available Fund to commission content specifically for in four languages – English, Simplified outer-suburban and CALD audiences. This Chinese, Vietnamese and Arabic — to led to some of the most successful Australia reach as many people in the Australian Talks content, including a series of social community as possible. media memes. The Australia Talks TV show included familiar and respected faces including Black Lives Matter Annabel Crabb, Waleed Aly, Steph Tisdell Black Lives Matter was covered extensively and Adam Liaw. Behind the scenes, the by ABC News, Analysis and Investigations. program provided career opportunities for The reporting included coverage of the content makers from diverse backgrounds. George Floyd case and the protests across the US, analysis on the issues behind the protests, detailed coverage and live blogs of Australian Black Lives Matter protests, discussions about racism and multiple stories about Indigenous incarceration and injustice in Australia. This was the biggest issue covered on the ABC News digital site in 2020 after coronavirus and Above: The ABC’s Annabel Crabb hosted the bushfires. Audience engagement with the Australia Talks live show content was high. and was joined by The Project’s Waleed Aly as co-host (Photo: Ben King).

21 Engaging with diverse audiences

Walking Together Walking Together encapsulated programs and content across all ABC platforms that focused on Australia’s journey to reconciliation. The project tied in with the 20-year anniversary of the Walk for Reconciliation – Australia’s biggest public demonstrations in support of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Walking Together kicked off with the screening of The Australian Dream, documenting the story of AFL player Adam Goodes and the racial abuse he suffered during the 2013 -2015 footy seasons. The broad appeal of thesubject matter secured an audience average of 680 000 viewers. Other content pieces across platforms included documentaries, interviews and long-form series to build awareness of the history and experiences of First Australians.

Right: Adam Goodes in The Australian Dream.

22 ABC DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 Walking Together ABCQueer Walking Together encapsulated programs ABCQueer is an Instagram account for young and content across all ABC platforms LGBTQI+ Australians. ABCQueer explores that focused on Australia’s journey to how the ABC creates channels for specific reconciliation. The project tied in with communities to reach new audiences with the 20-year anniversary of the Walk independent and engaging storytelling. for Reconciliation – Australia’s biggest public demonstrations in support of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Walking Together kicked off with the screening of The Australian Dream, documenting the story of AFL player Adam Goodes and the racial abuse he suffered during the 2013 -2015 footy seasons. The broad appeal of thesubject matter secured an audience average of 680 000 viewers. Other content pieces across platforms included documentaries, interviews and long-form series to build awareness of the history and experiences of First Australians.

Right: Adam Goodes in The Australian Dream.

Right: ABC Queer Instagram.

23 Entertainment highlights

Stateless Total Control Season 1 Stateless looks at the experience of Total Control is a drama series about a displaced people, exploring the issue of forthright, outspoken Indigenous woman immigration from multiple perspectives. handpicked to become a senator in Stateless was selected to premiere at Australian politics. The series is produced the prestigious 70th Berlinale Series by Indigenous owned Blackfella Films. in Berlin, Germany. Netflix picked up Storylines feature Indigenous land rights, worldwide rights for Stateless. One of the deaths in custody, community relationships main leads, Fayssal Bazzi is from a CALD and identity. background, with 35 supporting cast members also from CALD backgrounds.

24 Mystery Road Season 2 The Heights Season 2 Successful drama Mystery Road had two The Heights Season 2 achieved gender parity lead roles, as well as 25 supporting roles on screen with all lead and supporting identify as Indigenous. Mystery Road Season roles equally split across female and male 2 premiered at the prestigious 70th Berlinale characters. Of the lead roles, four identify as Series in Berlin. Mystery Road recorded an CALD, three as Indigenous, three as LGBTQI+ audience of 1.7 million and was the number and one as living with a disability. The BBC one non-kids’ program on ABC in 2020 acquired the two series of The Heights. (Jan to May).

25 Entertainment highlights

DisRupted First Day DisRupted is a series of films created by It’s Hannah Bradford’s first year of high young Australian creatives with disability school. As a 12-year-old transgender girl, under the initiative co-funded with Screen Hannah navigates the challenges that come Australia. The series premiered on the with starting a new school and finding the International Day of People with Disability courage to live as her most authentic self. in December 2019. The films provide the The role of Hannah is played by transgender filmmakers with the opportunity to disrupt actress Evie Macdonald. and reframe how disability is understood.

26 Love on the Spectrum Retrograde Love on the Spectrum is a four-part Retrograde was developed, produced, and documentary series following young adults post-produced entirely in lockdown under on the autism spectrum as they explore strict COVID-safe guidelines – the first the unpredictable world of love, dating and scripted TV series to have the lockdown as relationships. As well as help from their its premise. Half of the lead roles are CALD families, experts provide the participants and seventy-five percent of the writing team with practical skills to help navigate what identify as female and one as CALD. can be a confusing experience.

27 Entertainment highlights

Thalu Thalu, co-commissioned with NITV, is inspired by the stories of the kids who live in Roebourne (Western Australia) and their cultural traditions. With the support of the local community, Thalu was cast and shot entirely on location in and around Roebourne. The show was written in consultation with Ngarluma Traditional Owners and features an all-Indigenous cast. The series gives voice to remote and regional Indigenous kids as they share their stories with the nation.

28 Little J and Big Cuz Fresh Start Fund Co-commissioned with NITV, Little J The ABC’s $5 million Fresh Start Fund was & Big Cuz, is a Logie Award-winning launched in April 2020 and will support animated children’s series featuring more than 200 Australian productions and the voices of Miranda Tapsell and Deborah new content ideas, to help safeguard local Mailman. The series follows the lives of content and creativity against the impact of two children, their nanna, and dog as they COVID-19. Projects in line for support include learn about culture, the importance of new natural history series, true crime stories, community and country. In a community animation and digital short-form factual service announcement, the boys educate series from culturally and linguistically children on the importance of washing diverse creatives, many of whom will be hands during the COVID-19 pandemic. working with the ABC for the first time. The Australian Music Fund is part of the Fresh Start Fund. Of the applications for the Music Fund, 30% of the successful composers identified as Indigenous.

The Everyone Project As a member of the Screen Diversity and Inclusion Network, the ABC has subscribed to The Everyone Project – an online platform that measures the diversity of the Australian Screen industry. This is done through a voluntary survey of on-screen and offscreen contributors to productions. Use of the platform will assist the media industry in understanding the demographic make-up of its production crew and cast. The Everyone Project was developed by Screen Industry Innovation, the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) and the Screen Diversity and Inclusion Network (SDIN).

29 Celebrating Events and Significant Days

30 Mardi Gras The ABC was proud to participate in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade for the first time in the history of the event. The annual Mardi Gras theme ‘What Matters’ aimed to celebrate those at the forefront of the fight for equality. Among the 60 staff members participating were well- known figures, including Fran Kelly, Patricia Karvelas and Jeremy Fernandez. They were accompanied on the float by ABC Managing Director, David Anderson. ABC Chair Ita Buttrose attended the parade to offer her support. The ABC float was self-funded by ABC Pride (the ABC’s LGBTQI+ employee network group) and showcased hundreds of ABC employees represented through pre- recorded video played on the side of the ABC vehicle. The ABC’s participation in the Mardi Gras highlights that the ABC embraces and supports diversity for all in its workforce.

Left: Annabel Crabb and Craig Phillips at the 2020 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. 31 Celebrating Events and Significant Days

Below top: ABC Chair Ita Buttrose at the 2020 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Below bottom: ABC Managing Director David Anderson and Nathan Byrne on the ABC Float.

32 ABC DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 Clockwise: Christopher Sall (Drag name Crystal Ball), Clark Sheedy (Drag name Inga Moment) next to the ABC Float; Matt Smith, Michael Barber and Luke Sherlock holding Lily Gardiner; Chair Ita Buttrose and Managing Director David Anderson with Matt Smith and Rebekah Donaldson.

33 Celebrating Events and Significant Days

Reconciliation Week In spite of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there were still several opportunities for staff to participate in National Reconciliation Week in May 2020. Key projects included: • ABC Radio Sydney’s Christine Anu hosted three concerts from across the country on her national evenings program, with guest Karen Mundine – CEO of Reconciliation Australia. • Speaking Out panel hosted by Larissa Behrendt – on ABC Radio Sydney and live streamed to Facebook and YouTube. • ABC Far North (Cairns) and Indigenous radio station Bumma Bippera, came together to broadcast a program on both stations simultaneously during Reconciliation Week. • Artwork was created for triple j Unearthed’s Tops Indigenous takeover for online and social media. This featured presenters Dave Woodhead, Karla Ranby, Ashley McGregor, Marlee Silva, Tyrone Pynor and Loren Ryan.

Top right: ABC Breakfast presenter Trevor Tim with Bumma Bippera’s Talkback presenter Kier Shorey (Photo: Fiona Sewell). Centre right: triple j Unearthed’s Tops Indigenous Takeover Below right: David Anderson attends the Elevate RAP launch, November 2019.

34 ABC DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 The ABC collaborated with First Languages International Day of People Australia in hosting a series of online with Disability workshops on Indigenous languages. The project was launched during International Day of People with Disability Reconciliation Week with a total of 65 local was celebrated in December 2019 with the Indigenous languages being rolled out launch of the ABC’s Disability Awareness nationally in 2020. The initiative ties in to Training and promotion of the ABC’s Editorial one of the commitments in the Elevate RAP Guidance Note on reporting and portraying which is to embed Aboriginal and Torres disability. The aim of the day was to raise Strait Islander languages, voices and names awareness around issues people living with within the ABC’s programs. disability face on a daily basis as well as giving practical information on how friends and family can support them. Film series Elevate RAP launch DisRupted was also launched. The films are The Elevate RAP launch held in November created by content makers with disability, 2019 was attended by the Bonner Committee, who disrupt and reframe how disability ABC staff, local community members, media is understood. organisations and partners. International Women’s Day Global Accessibility The ABC embraced International Women’s Awareness Day Day in March 2020 by showcasing respected More than 300 employees attended the female broadcasters leading up to and Global Accessibility Awareness Day throughout the day. The highlights included online event held in May 2020. The panel an all-female line-up across capital city Local discussion focused on digital accessibility Radio, ABC Classic and RN and 24 hours of and the inclusion of people with different songs, stories, and discussions from female disabilities. The session was moderated by artists and presenters on triple j, Double J Nas Campanella (Disability Affairs Reporter and triple j Unearthed. and ABC Inclusive Chair) with panelists ABC women employees were also featured Gerry Neustatl (Accessibility and Inclusive in staff communications in celebration of Design Lead), Emma Gogolewski (Product their work. User Experience Designer) and Rebecca Manly (Digital Product Manager).

35 Gender

36 Representation of Gender at the ABC The ABC has continued to ensure a gender balanced workforce and leadership teams. Key elements of the ABC’s gender strategy outlined in the Diversity and Inclusion Plan are as follows: • The ABC has succeeded in achieving its target for women executives with 50.7% of women in executive roles (as at 31 August 2020). There has been an increase of 2.1% in this category from 48.6% (August 2019). • The ABC has increased its representation of women technologists to 17.9% (as at 31 August 2020), an increase from 16.6% (August 2019). • 54.1% of ABC employees are women (as at 31 August 2020), unchanged from August 2019. • The ABC is committed to 20% representation of women in technologist roles and 50% representation of women in executive roles by 2022.

Left: Journalist Kumi Taguchi. 37 Gender

Gender distribution by occupation group

Aug 2020 Aug 2019

Occupation Female Male Total Female Male Total Group

Senior 145 50.7% 141 49.3% 286 136 48.6% 144 51.4% 280 Executive

Administrative/ 433 73.5% 155 26.3% 589 433 74.4% 148 25.4% 582 Professional

Content Maker 1639 55.3% 1318 44.5% 2964 1556 55.1% 1267 44.8% 2825

Technologist 69 17.9% 315 81.8% 385 58 16.6% 291 83.1% 350

Total 2286 54.1% 1929 45.7% 4224 2183 54.1% 1850 45.8% 4037

Note: Data as at 31-08-20. At the end of the reporting period, 0.2% of ABC employees identified as gender diverse. Number and percentage based on Total Head Count, Non-Casual Employees within Occupation Group.

38 ABC DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 Gender distribution by occupation group

Total FEMALE 54.1% MALE 45.7% GENDER DIVERSE 0.2%

FEMALE Technologist MALE 81.8% GENDER DIVERSE 0.3% 17.9%

Content Maker FEMALE 55.3% MALE 44.5% GENDER DIVERSE 0.2%

MALE 26.3% Administrative/ FEMALE 73.5% Professional GENDER DIVERSE 0.2%

Senior Executive FEMALE 50.7% MALE 49.3% GENDER DIVERSE 0%

39 Gender

Gender pay equity The ABC is committed to paying all employees equitably and fairly. To achieve this, an organisation wide analysis of base salaries and total fixed remuneration was done, in order to identify any gender pay equity gaps - where men and women working at the same level have a significant difference in their pay. Pay at each level of the organisation was examined. Based on these results the ABC believes the pay practices are equitable. There are no meaningful pay gaps (defined as +/- 3%) unfavourable to women at any level in the ABC. However, there is a higher representation of women in the lower pay bands. Because of this, there is an overall pay gap across the organisation of 6%, favourable to men. By way of comparison, the national gender pay gap across Australia is 14% and in relevant industry sectors there’s a gender pay gap of 17.1% in the information media and telecoms sector and 19.8% in the arts and recreation services sector.4 While these are encouraging results, the ABC is committed to continuing to work to close the gap.

4 Source: Australia’s Gender Pay Gap Statistics August 2019 produced by Workplace 40 ABC DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 Gender Equality Agency. Left and below: The Ladies We Need to Talk Live show titled ‘The Concrete Ceiling’. The show was designed for women of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. L-R Shyamla Eswaran, Professor Sujatha Fernandes, Yumi Stynes (host), Shy Magsalin (Photo: Michael Dulaney, ABC).

41 Disability

People with disability in the ABC workforce At the end of the reporting period, the ABC employed 149 staff who identified as having a disability. This represented 4.6% of employees who provided EEO data. There has been a decrease in the representation of ABC employees with disabilities from 5.2% (August 2019) to 4.6% (August 2020).

Above: Disabilities Affairs reporter Nas Campanella. 42 Left: DisRupted. “Creating an inclusive work environment for everyone” Diversity & Inclusion Plan 2019-22

Above: Disabilities Affairs reporter Nas Campanella. Left: DisRupted. 43 Disability

Distribution of people with disability by ABC occupational group

Aug 2020 Aug 2019

Occupation Group Number of Number of Employees Employees with Disability with Disability

Senior Executive 7 2.9% 11 5%

Administrative/ 28 5.4% 31 6.3% Professional

Content Maker 94 4.4% 96 4.7%

Technologist 20 6.4% 19 6.9%

Total 149 4.6% 157 5.2%

*Number and percentage based on Total Head Count, Non-Casual Employees, within Occupational Group, who provided information on the ABC’s EEO Data Collection Form that indicated they have a disability. Includes both those who have a disability and those who do not have a disability. Data as at 31.08.20.

44 ABC DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 The ABC’s first disability affairs reporter Nastasia (Nas) Campanella was appointed as the ABC’s first disability affairs reporter after spending seven years at triple j. Nas started at the ABC as a cadet in the Sydney newsroom and went on to become a newsreader, reporter and senior producer. She has worked in regional Australia, run projects with ABC International Development for people with disability in Asia Pacific and will continue to cover the Disability Royal Commission’s public hearings.

Regional Storyteller Top: Emma Scholarship Myers. Left: Fiona The ABC in partnership with the Australian Murphy. Government announced three winners for Below: Angus the 2020 Regional Storyteller Scholarship Thompson. program. This initiative offers aspiring content makers with disabilities from regional and rural Australia to work with the ABC in showcasing their skills and experience. This year’s scholarship winners are: • Writer and podcaster Fiona Murphy from Tamworth, NSW. • Actor and storyteller, Angus Thompson, from Bathurst, NSW Angus starred in the ABC iview Fresh Blood series. • Journalist Emma Myers from Pokolbin, NSW.

45 Disability

Australian Access Awards The Australian Access Awards App 2019 recognised the ABC NEWS App as the Government and Accessible App of the Year. Also nominated in the same category was the triple J App. The inaugural awards recognised work to implement accessibility in digital resources. The ABC NEWS App is designed to be fully accessible to all, including viewers with impaired sight, hearing, mobility and cognition. The App is fully operable with Voiceover, Apple’s inbuilt screen reader, making it accessible for people who are blind. It rotates to suit viewer needs (landscape or portrait mode) for people with limited mobility. The ABC’s Digital Accessibility & Inclusive Design Lead Gerry Neustatl was a finalist in the Accessibility Person/Organisation of the Year category. Above: Gerry Neustatl accepting the award for the ABC News App team.

46 ABC DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 Australian Access Awards Audio description ABC Inclusive The Australian Access Awards App The ABC launched an Audio Description This year saw the launch of ABC 2019 recognised the ABC NEWS App service for its TV viewers in June 2020. This Inclusive – the Disability Employee Network as the Government and Accessible was possible through Government funding Group. Chaired by the ABC’s Disability App of the Year. Also nominated in of $4 million to the ABC and SBS. Audio Affairs Reporter, Nastasia Campanella, the the same category was the triple J App. Description provides auditory narration of network launched in April 2020 bringing The inaugural awards recognised work to TV programs, describing important visual together employees with lived experiences implement accessibility in digital resources. elements between lines of dialogue in key of disability and allies. Key objectives genres like drama, documentaries, children’s include providing a forum for consultation The ABC NEWS App is designed to be fully content, current affairs, lifestyle and movies. on policies and projects that may have accessible to all, including viewers with The ABC broadcasts around 14 hours of an impact on employees with disability, impaired sight, hearing, mobility and audio described content each week. developing personal networks, enhancing cognition. The App is fully operable with the career progression of employees with Voiceover, Apple’s inbuilt screen reader, Accessibility Tool Kit disabilities and enhancing the ABC’s ability making it accessible for people who are The ABC is committed to ensuring its to better reflect people with disability blind. It rotates to suit viewer needs websites and mobile applications are in content and ensure content is more (landscape or portrait mode) for people with usable by all people, irrespective of their accessible to all. limited mobility. The ABC’s Digital abilities or disabilities. To achieve this, the Accessibility & Inclusive Design Lead Gerry ABC strives to comply with the Web Content Neustatl was a finalist in the Accessibility Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The Person/Organisation of the Year category. Above: Gerry Neustatl Corporation also developed an Accessibility accepting the award for the ABC News App team. Tips for Teams Guide to support staff in developing accessible content in 2019.

47 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Australians

48 The Diversity and Inclusion Plan sets out to increase Indigenous representation to 3.2% by 2020. The Indigenous representation rate has increased from 2.8% (August 2019) to 2.9% (August 2020). The ABC has been able to attract Indigenous employees through various targeted recruitment initiatives including scholarships, internships and identified roles. A strategy to retain Indigenous staff is also a focus for the ABC.

Left: Christine Anu from ABC Radio Sydney. 49 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Australians

Representation of employees of Indigenous background by occupational group

2020 2019

Job Group No. % No. %

Senior Executive 5 1.7 4 1.3

Administrative/ 29 4.9 24 3.9 Professional

Content Maker 80 2.7 81 2.9

Technologist 7 1.8 8 2.1

Total 121 2.9 117 2.8

Note: Number and percentages based on total head count, excluding casual employees, within occupational group. Data as at 31.08.20.

50 ABC DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 Left: Gamilaraay woman and ABC Features Indigenous employees Reporter (Tamworth) by State/Territory Loren Ryan sings her original song in language, Yilalu at the Elevate RAP Launch in November 2019.. Below: The ABC’s 7PM Canberra news bulletin presented by Dan OS 1% Bourchier was the first news bulletin to include an Acknowledgement of Country, paying respects to the local NT 9% Ngunnawal people. QLD 12% WA 5% SA 7% NSW 53% ACT 5% VIC 7%

TAS 2%

Note: Percentages based on total head count, excluding casual employees. Data as at 31.08.20.

51 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Australians

Indigenous Recruitment Strategy To improve opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the ABC launched a specialist Indigenous recruitment strategy in 2020 to increase Indigenous representation across the organisation with 20 funded roles. The launch coincided with the ABC’s cross- platform content collaboration Walking Together. The campaign was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic but will resume.

Skill-sharing secondments In late 2019 there were three secondments in the Jawun program. The ABC partners with Jawun to offer ABC employees, the opportunity to participate in a six-week secondment with a remote Aboriginal organisation based in West Kimberley, WA or Lower River Murray Region, SA. The JAWUN program is specifically Above: The ABC’s designed to build on the leadership skills Indigenous Cultural Awareness module and capabilities of ABC employees, while is now available empowering Aboriginal organisations to online to all staff. reach their development goals and improve Right: ABC’s Lucinda Clift attended the access to economic, health and education Jawun program in 2019. opportunities. The ABC’s ability to send Pictured with Aunty employees to on location placements was Phyllis Waye (left) from hampered during 2020 by the COVID-19 Bayulu community and Aunty Nita Williams pandemic. (right) from Junjuwa community. Lucinda’s secondment was at Marnin studios, part of the Marninwarntikura women’s resource centre in Fitzroy Crossing.

52 ABC DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training The ABC’s new online Indigenous Cultural Awareness training was launched during Reconciliation Week 2020. The course provides an understanding of the largely untold history of Australia’s treatment and interaction with Indigenous people over the past 250 years. This course focuses on the Government’s Protection policies and their impact, which have led to the many challenges Indigenous people face today. The compulsory training is designed to support managers and colleagues of Indigenous staff in creating a safe workplace and ensuring content is culturally appropriate and inclusive of Indigenous people. Indigenous cultural protocols Acknowledgement of Country is utilised by staff in ABC email signature blocks and included in all internal and external meetings and events. Protocols and guidelines for the use of Indigenous archival material and community awareness were reviewed and a new initiative is being developed to provide content makers with release forms that recognise Indigenous cultural and intellectual property rights.

53 Cultural and linguistic diversity

54 Cultural and linguistic diversity in the workforce The Diversity and Inclusion Plan outlines targets for CALD Executives and CALD content makers, aiming to achieve 15% of executive roles and 15% of content maker roles to be filled by CALD employees by 2022. Against its 2020 target of 10% for CALD executives, the ABC is tracking at 8.4% (August 2020) which is a downward trend from 8.7% (August 2019). The representation of CALD content makers is at 9.5% against a target of 11% (August 2020) with an increase from 9.4% from the previous reporting period (August 2019). Overall, 13.9% of employees at the ABC identify as CALD (August 2020).

Left: Presenter of Hack on triple j Avani Dias. 55 Cultural and linguistic diversity

The ABC has put in place several strategies to increase its representation in these focus areas. This includes examining recruitment data and conversion into successful hire rates, external recruitment on bespoke platforms, the provision of learning and professional development opportunities and programs and a retention strategy. It should be noted that disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted the achievement of workforce targets as only priority roles were advertised.

56 ABC DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 Distribution of employees from a CALD background in each occupational group

Aug 2020 Aug 2019

Occupation Group Employees from Employees Employees from Employees CALD background who provided CALD background who provided EEO data EEO data

Senior Executive 21 8.4% 249 87.1% 20 8.7% 231 82.5%

Administrative/ 115 21.9% 526 89.3% 106 21.3% 498 85.6% Professional

Content Maker 208 9.5% 2180 73.5% 196 9.44%% 22088088 773.93.9%%

TTechnolechnologistogist 111010 334.94.9%% 313155 8811.8%.8% 9797 3434.8%.8% 229797 7979.7.7%%

TTototalal 454454 1313.9%.9% 32703270 7777.4%.4% 419419 1313.5%.5% 3096309676.7%76.7%

*Number and percentage based on Total Head Count, Non-Casual Employees, within Job Group, who provided information on the ABC’s EEO Data Collection Form in regard to their non-English speaking background. Employees with EEO data represents Total Head Count, Non-Casual Employees, who completed the language section of the EEO Data Collection Form—both English speaking and non- English speaking backgrounds. Data as at 31.08.20.

57 Cultural and linguistic diversity

Right: An ABC stall ABC Belong was set up at the ABC Belong is a staff initiative that was City of Melbourne’s Lunar established in 2019 for the support of New Year Festival in February 2020. (Photo: culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Jarrod Fankhauser) staff and allies. The Group’s objectives Below right: Lunar New include fostering awareness, understanding Year Celebrations and respect for all staff members and (Illustration: Zhong Dai). supporting the ABC’s goal to look and sound like contemporary Australia. Since its launch, the Group was involved in several initiatives. These include: • Lunchtime discussion with ABC Chair Ita Buttrose and Managing Director David Anderson in September 2019. The themes from the lunch included diversity within diversity, lack of representation in the media, understanding diverse audiences and recruitment. • Lunar New Year staff celebrations held in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. • Harmony Day celebrations that included the production of a staff video that was promoted internally and on LinkedIn. The main event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

58 ABC DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 Lunar New Year celebrations in Melbourne ABC International, the Asia Pacific Newsroom and ABC Radio Melbourne hosted an ABC stall at the City of Melbourne’s Lunar New Year Festival in February 2020. The Festival provided an opportunity to increase awareness of the ABC’s Chinese language services. The stall proved a huge hit with the crowds, with queues across eight hours – lining up for freebies, competitions, temporary tattoos and a bubble machine.

59 LGBTQI+

60 The ABC continues to focus on LGBTQI+ inclusion. While a target for LGBTQI+ representation in the workforce has not been set, the ABC’s recruitment data now includes tracking job applications from LGBTQI+ applicants and the conversion to successful hires. ABC Pride The ABC Pride employee network is now in its third year and 2020 has been its most eventful and successful year yet. The network is Chaired by Head of Operations Manda Hatter and meets monthly with staff from across many teams within the ABC. The focus is on continuing to improve inclusiveness at the ABC. Throughout 2019- 2020, the ABC Pride network successfully extended to include state and territory capital cities, as well as regional areas, including Alice Springs, Port Pirie and Kalgoorlie. The Committee includes streams– People, Events, Communications, Mardi Gras and Champions for State and Regional locations.

Left: Journalist Jason Om. 61 LGBTQI+

ABC Pride are responsible for delivering Right: the Pride strategy by organising training, James Taylor SBS MD, Patricia newsletter communications and celebrating Karvelas, and days of significance for the LGBTQI+ David Anderson. community. Initiatives and events include: Below: Alan Weedon and • An online trivia event for IDAHOBIT Day Kristina Miltiadou. (International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia). • Panel discussion – The LGBTQI+ Experience (living) in regional Australia. • Wear It Purple Day focussing on LGBTQI+ awareness for young people. • ABC Pride collaboration with SBS Pride & Allies on LGBTQI+ workplace inclusion. Issues discussed included workplace policies, content making and the personal experiences of staff representing diverse genders and sexualities. • Gayla and Pride Strategy launch – Melbourne launch in November 2019 and Sydney launch in June 2019. • ABC Pride has contributed to a language guide to support improved reporting on content that relates to sexuality and gender diversity.

62 ABC DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 AWEI award A host of efforts and activities were recognised in 2020 with the awarding of a Bronze Medal at the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI). This award measures the impact of inclusion initiatives and drives best practice and improved workplace diversity across Australia. Now in its tenth year, hundreds of organisations participate in the AWEI across all sectors. This year marked the first time that the ABC won a medal. The award signifies that the ABC had substantially increased the visibility of people of diverse sexualities and genders – creating a more inclusive place to work and more diverse content for its audiences. Bronze status represents national and industry-wide recognition of the ABC’s progress.

63 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION2019-2020 & INCLUSION ANNUAL REPORT DIVERSITY

ABC Diversity & Inclusion Annual Report 2019-2020 Equal Employment Opportunity Report to the Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts Published by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation 2020 ISSN 1839-3292 (Print) ISSN 1839-9452 (Online)