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AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION Equity and divErsity ANNUAL RePORT 2011–12 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION eQUITY AND DIVeRSITY ANNUAL RePORT 2011–12 eQUAL eMPLOYMeNT OPPORTUNITY RePORT TO THe MINISTeR FOR BROADBAND, COMMUNICATIONS AND THe DIGITAL eCONOMY Published by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation 2012 ISSN 1839-3292 For information about this report, Please contact: Manager Diversity People and Learning Australian Broadcasting Corporation GPO Box 9994 Sydney 2001 The following images on the front cover have been provided as part of the recognition of the ABC’s 80th Anniversary in 2012: Top Left: A group of migrants listen to English for New Australians. Probably early 1950s. From Document Archives, ABC Resources. Bottom Left: Some of the women who set up the unit to produce The Coming Out Ready or Not Show, ABC Radio program for International Women’s Year in 1975. Back Row L-R: Cathy Duff, Gillian Waite, Jill Lennon, Roberta Meilleur. Middle Row L-R: Jenny Small, Janet Bell, Ingrid Bourke, Liz Fell. Front Row L-R: Robin Lee and Sandra Levy. From Document Archives, ABC Resources. Top Right: ABC Radio’s Elaine Harris with supervisor Howard John and Guide Dog Kati, starting her first full- time job at Radio Hallam in Sheffield, UK. News of the job and first Guide Dog arrived on the same day in November 1980. Elaine has just celebrated her 25 years with the ABC in 2012. This image was provided by Elaine Harris. Bottom right: Elton Rosas, ABC Resources, on location in August 2006. This image was provided by the ABC. 2 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2011–12 COntEnts THE ABC EQUITY AND DIVERSITY PROGRAM 5 RESPONSIBILITY 7 COMMUNICATION 8 DIVERSITY ACTIVITY AND REPRESENTATION 9 Gender 10 Indigenous 14 Cultural and Linguistic Diversity 20 Disability 24 Workplace Culture and Flexibility 28 OBJECTIVES AND EVALUATION 30 3 The Australian Broadcasting In line with developments over time, Corporation is a national broadcaster the expression “equity and diversity” established as a statutory corporation is used in preference to “equal under the Australian Broadcasting opportunity in employment” or “equal Corporation Act 1983 (“the ABC Act”). employment opportunity”, in regard The ABC Act, which includes the ABC to many references throughout Charter, sets out the basic functions the report, as it reflects a broader and duties of the Corporation. coverage of related objectives As a Commonwealth authority and strategies. employer, the ABC is bound by the This report articulates the ABC’s provisions of the Equal Employment equal employment opportunity Opportunity (Commonwealth (EEO) program for the purposes of Authorities) Act 1987, the Racial the Equal Employment Opportunity Discrimination Act 1975, the Sex (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987 Discrimination Act 1984, the as realised through its equity and Australian Human Rights Commission diversity strategies, as set out in the Act 1986, the Disability Discrimination ABC’s Equity and Diversity Plan 2008– Act 1992, the Age Discrimination Act 11, the ABC’s Equity and Diversity Plan 2004 and the Fair Work Act 2009. 2012–15 and the ABC Reconciliation This report is made under the Action Plan 2009–12. It demonstrates provisions of Section 9(2) of the that the Corporation’s EEO program Equal Employment Opportunity is on track. (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987. The reporting period covers 1 September 2011 to 31 August 2012. The Equal Employment Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987 requires the ABC to promote equal opportunity in employment for women and designated groups, which are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from a non- English speaking background and people with disabilities. 4 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2011–12 tHE aBC Equity and divErsity PrOGraM The ABC has developed its new As the national broadcaster, the ABC > Realising our Potential — to Equity and Diversity Plan to cover the has a number of Corporate-wide recognise, value and use the period 2012–15 following the expiry factors linked to diversity. The ABC diverse skills, cultural values and of the previous plan which spanned Charter requires the broadcasting of backgrounds of our current and 2008 to 2011. Plans include key areas, programs that contribute to a sense potential employees. objectives, strategies and performance of national identity and reflect the > Supporting our Work/Life Balance indicators that form the overall focus cultural diversity of the Australian — to promote an environment that and activity of the Corporation’s community. ABC Editorial Policies supports the work and life balance equity and diversity program. The support the diversity of perspectives. needs of employees. Corporation is required by legislation, The ABC Values include respect > Engaging with Communities — the Equal Employment Opportunity and collegiality and the reference to implement the ABC’s Charter to (Commonwealth Authorities) Act to embrace diversity. Successive reflect the diversity of Australian 1987 (Section 5), to develop an equal Corporate plans support a positive life by the provision of inclusive employment opportunity program and inclusive work environment. and accessible content and designed to eliminate discrimination As well as improving the workplace services by and for all Australians. and promote equal opportunity for culture and attracting and retaining > Linking Diversity — to link women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait a pool of talented, diverse staff, the equity and diversity plan Islander people, people from a non- the implications are that the ABC with internal corporate-wide English speaking background and will have a broader representation frameworks and external reporting people with disabilities. and appeal to a wider audience and trends. Over the years, the ABC has and consumer base. Seeking to add delivered a series of plans which diversity into the mix of content, Overview and Progress have supported a fair and inclusive products and services, provides The Equity and Diversity Plan 2008–11 workplace and implemented accessibility and connection with covered a period of time at the strategies that have promoted audience, customers and clients. ABC when workplace culture and diversity opportunities and values have been a major focus outcomes for staff, managers and ABC EQUITY AND DIVERSITY and the Corporation launched its the organisation. The focus and PLAN 2008–11 Reconciliation Action Plan 2009–12. The objectives and strategies coverage of diversity has been The ABC’s Equity and Diversity Plan expanded, over time, due to a range of the Equity and Diversity Plan 2008–11 covered the period 1 January 2008–11 have been an integral part of factors and influences including 2008 to 31 December 2011. new related legislation, employment of the culture change, within an and societal trends, an emphasis on Key Areas environment of continuous growth workplace culture and values, a key > Leading with Diversity — to and innovation in broadcasting and area of work/ life balance and linking promote a culture of opportunity the media. diversity to the business objectives through the ABC Executive The Reconciliation Action Plan 2009– of organisations. In recent years that demonstrates an inclusive 12 addressed many of the areas of the Corporation has introduced workplace based on shared values. Indigenous employment and cultural the ABC Values, launched its first > Connecting with Each Other — to awareness that have contributed Reconciliation Action Plan 2009–12 contribute to a co-operative and to a broader focus and input across and has participated in Corporate harmonious work environment the ABC. Social Responsibility initiatives. free of unlawful discrimination, Divisional and State and Territory harassment and bullying. reference groups have contributed to a more inclusive effort that has brought about new initiatives, closer ties with Indigenous communities and a greater presence across the media platforms. 5 The ABC’s new Equity and Diversity Plan 2012–15 The first-time Indigenous cultural The Equity and Diversity Plan 2008–11, The initial focus and delivery of awareness package, which was while covering a range of diversity strategies in 2012 encompassed: developed and rolled out to staff, areas, included activities related to activities to promote a positive received an external diversity award the representation of the four EEO culture; the roll-out of mature age, in 2011. groups. There were increases in the gender, disability and work/life The ABC Strategic Plan 2010–13 overall representation of women, and programs; and elevating Indigenous and the ABC Values included women in senior executive positions, employment efforts as one of the diversity as a key consideration, as well as staff from non-English key ABC strategic priorities. Initial while relevant accountability was speaking backgrounds. The number of groundwork aims for broader cultural embedded in executive job plans staff with disabilities increased, while diversity across the Corporation’s and the performance management the ratio of total staff decreased, content, platforms and workforce, framework. although remaining above the ABC’s as a major focus area over the life target in this area. Indigenous staff of the new plan. The six key areas of the Equity and increased from 1.2% to 1.5% at end– Diversity Plan 2008–11 substantially The plan is a broad-based Corporate December 2011. The Corporation is progressed the work of equity and framework and divisions and still to achieve its initial target of 2% diversity in the ABC. Many of the locations will tailor strategies that Indigenous employment. strategies included reviews and are most applicable and reasonable for their areas. audits, which paved the way for the ABC EQUITY AND DIVERSITY next steps in the new equity and PLAN 2012–15 diversity plan. Divisions and state RECONCILIATION ACTION and territory areas embraced The Equity and Diversity Plan 2012–15 PLAN 2009–12 diversity and introduced strategies was developed and approved, with The ABC Reconciliation Action tailored to their needs and directions. broad consultation, covering the period Plan 2009–12, launched in October 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2015.