Annual report 2010–11 RAAUST ALI N BROADCASTING CORPORATION Equity and Diversity ARUST ALI N BROADCASTING CORPORATION EQUITY AND DIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT 2010–11 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY REPORT TO THE MINISTER FOR BROADBAND, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE DIGITAL ECONOMY

This page, front cover, inside back cover and back cover images are of participants in ABC Radio’s DreamBox project, part of the ABC Open online initiative: “DreamBox is a place for you to share your dreams and to see what other Indigenous Australians are dreaming about. It’s really simple. All you have to do is write down your dream on a large piece of paper or cardboard, on a chalkboard, or on anything that will be big enough to read. Have your photo taken with you holding your dream and send it in.”

Published by the Australian For information about this report, Broadcasting Corporation 2011 please contact: ISSN 1839-3292 Manager Diversity People and Learning Australian Broadcasting Corporation GPO Box 9994 Sydney 2001 COT N ENts ARUST ALI N BROADCASTING CORPORATION EQUITY AND DIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT 2010–11

THE ABC EQUITY AND DIVERSITY PROGRAM5 RESPONSIBILITY 7 COMMUNICATION 8 DIVERSITY PROFILE AND INITIATIVES Gender 10 Indigenous 15 Race/Ethnicity 20 Disability 24 Workplace Culture and Flexibility 28 9 OJVB ECTI ES AND EVALUATION 30 3 The Australian Broadcasting Corporation In line with developments over time, is a national broadcaster established as a the expression “equity and diversity” statutory corporation under the Australian is used in preference to “equal Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 (“the opportunity in employment” or “equal ABC Act”). The ABC Act, which includes the employment opportunity” throughout the ABC Charter, sets out the basic functions report, as it reflects a broader coverage and duties of the Corporation. of related objectives and strategies. As a Commonwealth authority employer, This report articulates the ABC’s equal the ABC is bound by the provisions of employment opportunity (EEO) program the Equal Employment Opportunity for the purposes of the Equal Employment (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987, Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, the Act 1987 as realised through its equity Sex Discrimination Act 1984, the and diversity strategies, as set out in the Australian Human Rights Commission ABC’s Equity and Diversity Plan 2008–11 Act 1986, the Disability Discrimination and the ABC Reconciliation Action Plan Act 1992, the Age Discrimination Act 2009–12. It demonstrates that the 2004 and the Fair Work Act 2009. Corporation’s EEO program is on track. This report is made under the provisions of Section 9(2) of the Equal Employment Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987. The reporting period covers 1 September 2010 to 31 August 2011. 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 2010–11 T HE ABC EQUITY AND DIVERSITY PROGRAM E QUITY AND DIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT 2010–11

ABC EQUITY AND Realising our Potential PROGRESS OF THE ABC DIVERSITY PLAN 2008–11 Objective: to recognise, value EQUITY AND DIVERSITY In August 2008 the ABC’s Equity and use the diverse skills, cultural PROGRAM and Diversity Plan was approved values and backgrounds of our During the reporting period, the by the Managing Director, covering current and potential employees. ABC’s Equity and Diversity Plan the period 1 January 2008 to 31 2008–11 reached its final year of December 2011. Supporting our implementation. The Corporation’s The Equity and Diversity Plan Work/Life Balance Reconciliation Action Plan 2009–12 2008–11 has six key themes with Objective: to promote an expires at the end of 2012. The objectives and strategies that environment that supports the work ABC made substantial progress form the overall focus and activity and life balance needs of employees. in implementing the strategies of the Corporation’s equity and embodied by these plans. diversity program. Engaging with Communities Reviews clearly demonstrated Objective: to implement the ABC’s the Corporate-wide take-up and Leading with Diversity Charter to reflect the diversity of activity—the Final Year Equity and Objective: to promote a culture Australian life by the provision of Diversity Plan Strategy Rollout of opportunity through the ABC inclusive and accessible content and 2011 update and the six-monthly Executive Leadership Group services by and for all Australians. reports against the Reconciliation that demonstrates an inclusive Action Plan (November 2010 and workplace based on shared values. Linking Diversity May 2011). Objective: to link the equity The recorded activity included Connecting with and diversity plan with internal the review of the results of Each Other corporate-wide frameworks and the mature age staff survey, Objective: to contribute to a external reporting and trends. completion of the national mental co-operative and harmonious health training roll out, the work/ work environment free of RECONCILIATION ACTION life audit and the development of unlawful discrimination, PLAN 2009–12 a specific disability plan. Targeted harassment and bullying. The ABC, in consultation with development opportunities and managers and staff, developed tools were provided to managers the ABC Reconciliation Action and staff to support the diversity Plan 2009–12, which was launched of the workplace. The Australian Broadcasting Policies, information and training Corporation is required by the in October 2009, with the aim Equal Employment Opportunity of making a proactive and long- promoting positive workplace (Commonwealth Authorities) Act term commitment to improving behaviour continued to be 1987 (Section 5) to develop an equal opportunities for Aboriginal and reviewed and delivered across employment opportunity (EEO) Torres Strait Islander people in four the Corporation in line with the program designed to eliminate key areas: Cultural Understanding objectives and embedding of the discrimination and promote equal and Respect; Employment; Content; ABC Values. opportunity for women, Aboriginal and Community Links. and Torres Strait Islander people, people from a non-English speaking background and people with disabilities.

5 ABC Advisory Council Members in 2011. Standing (L-R): Victoria Shenstone, Nakul Legha, Joan McKain (Convenor), Rena Henderson, Patrick Bradbery, Lisa Leong, Taylor Tran, Rosemary Redgen and Scott Cowans Seated (L-R): Tania Penovic, Maurice Newman (ABC Chairman), Moira Neagle and Craig Wallace

There was increased take-up by ABC There has been steady progress towards divisions of diversity strategies and the 2% target, with the aim of building on activities, including the launch of the the achievements with further success in ABC Disability Portal and a dedicated the next year. Other statistical indicators resource for web accessibility, a new have confirmed a reasonably balanced mentoring program for women across the workforce, overall, in the area of diversity. Operations Group area, the Paralympic As there is a current major focus on the Diversity Workplace Program and a range gender composition of Boards and senior of disability and skilled migrant mentoring executive positions in the Australian arrangements and placements. business sector, it is of note that the States and territories with tailored plans Corporation has over recent years linked to the Equity and Diversity Plan reached a representation of 40.8% of also implemented a range of strategies women in senior executive positions and around Australia. Major activities for the first time in 2011 attained equal included the work/life survey in Victoria, numbers of men and women on the the recognition of the centenary of ABC Board. The ABC Advisory Council International Women’s Day as well as continues to reflect a broad diversity other diversity-related campaigns. of views, with a high representation Divisions and states and territories of women, as well as members with embraced the strategies of the disabilities and members from a range of Reconciliation Action Plan. Extensive ages and culturally diverse backgrounds. work, undertaken during the year, focused The ABC’s Equity and Diversity Plan and on the rollout of the Indigenous cultural Reconciliation Action Plan principles and awareness workshop and resource strategies embrace the Corporation’s program, events during NAIDOC Week, values and corporate social responsibility new initiatives aimed at increasing effort and support the organisation’s aims Indigenous content and participation for an inclusive workforce that reflects on-air and online, as well as a raft of and connects with the diversity of the recruitment, development and retention Australian community. activity, aimed at reaching the ABC’s target of 2% Indigenous employment.

6 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2010–11 RO ESP NsiBILITY

LEADERSHIP AND DIVERSITY FRAMEWORK Likewise the states and territories established Indigenous working RESPONSIBILITY Throughout the Corporation there groups to broaden their local are groups and contacts that The ABC’s equity and diversity contacts, encourage employment advance all aspects of equity and program is supported at the and integrate Indigenous culture and diversity activity. Each division has senior management level by participation across all functions. the ABC Executive Leadership a contact at the senior management Group. The Managing Director and level who promotes the program A monitoring group tracks the Divisional Directors have overall and assists with reporting. progress of the Reconciliation Action Plan and an Indigenous responsibility for the program and A network of state-based advisory group, the Bonner appropriate strategies are included Employee Contact Officers Committee, is currently under in their performance objectives, assists staff with information and review. along with the requirement to support regarding discrimination, demonstrate behaviours and harassment and bullying issues attributes that reflect ABC values. and resolution processes. The People and Learning Division There are divisional reference is responsible for the overall groups that focus on the development, implementation achievement of Indigenous and monitoring of the equity and employment targets. The diversity program. The roles of Operations Group area expanded Manager Diversity and Indigenous their reference group’s focus Employment Co-ordinator are to cover the broader area of responsible for the delivery of diversity with the result that a the program within a divisional range of activities are devised business partner framework and and consolidated across this across states and territories. conglomerate of divisions.

The Equal Employment Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987 requires the ABC to confer responsibility (Section 6 (b)) for the development and implementation of the EEO program.

7 COMM UniCATION

GETTING THE harassment and bullying, Indigenous, MESSAGE ACROSS mental health awareness, work/life, gender, race and faith issues. Equity and Staff can access information about the diversity principles and resources are equity and diversity program using a range discussed in a workshop session as part of platforms, including email, social media, of the ABC Managers Program. the ABC’s intranet sites and staff newsletters and notices. The People and Learning web The increase, across the Corporation, pages include access to a specific section of diversity group membership, awards on equity and diversity policies, guidelines, and activities has widened the reach of reports, activities and contacts. During diversity, awareness and practice. 2010–11, information was delivered about: Indigenous activities, age survey results, INTERACTING WITH UNIONS calendar of diversity events, development The ABC Enterprise Agreement programs for women and people from non- 2010–2013, which set out the terms and English speaking backgrounds and resources conditions of employment for a majority for work/life balance. of ABC employees, was approved by Fair Work Australia on 29 October 2010, Information on a range of issues is and became effective on 5 November sourced and distributed to senior 2010. The new Agreement now includes managers, content makers, service the model flexibility, consultation and providers, targeted diversity groups, dispute resolution clauses provided in contacts and representatives. the Fair Work Act 2009 and has been INTERACTING updated to interact with the National WITH EMPLOYEES Employment Standards. Recruitment, forms of employment and performance Broad consultation processes took place management have been streamlined, and during the development and monitoring changes made to provide greater flexibility of the Reconciliation Action Plan. They will to the Corporation in recruitment and the continue during 2011 as the ABC compiles types of engagement. The Agreement now a new equity and diversity plan. contains a Supported Wage Clause. Interaction with the People and Learning There are three actions The ABC continued to consult with the business partner team and divisions included in the Equal Community and Public Sector Union Employment Opportunity strengthens the ownership and output (CPSU), the Media Entertainments and (Commonwealth of the equity and diversity program. Arts Alliance (MEAA) and the Association Authorities) Act 1987 A particular focus during the year was of Professional Engineers, Scientists and that require the ABC to completing all the meetings with state Managers Australia (APESMA) as part communicate and consult and territory management teams and of the process of implementing changes regarding its EEO program: finalising their individual diversity plans. Informing Employees to work practices or technology that are (Section 6 (a)), Consultation Forums and workshops provided the likely to have a significant effect on staff. with Employees (Section 6 opportunity for involvement and discussion (d)) and Consultation with on specific areas, such as discrimination, Trade Unions (Section 6(c)).

8 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2010–11 DIV P ERsity ROFILE AND INITIATIVES

At the end of the 2010–11 reporting The Equity and Diversity Plan reflects the recognition period, 76.6% of ABC staff had of and contribution to: provided EEO data. The collection of data is ongoing with new employees > positive leadership; invited to complete the EEO survey > employment practices based on merit; form within a short time of joining the Corporation. Each quarter > a safe and supportive environment; a summary of EEO statistics is provided to divisions and states for > initiatives addressing a “fair go”, supporting the recruitment, retention information and progress of their and development potential of employees; and diversity representation. > strategies that encourage a diverse workforce and services that reflect As part of the Corporation’s shift and engage the diversity of the Australian community. to an online recruitment process, the employment application form was updated to include EEO Managers and staff are also Several mechanisms assist data. Applicants are invited to participating in culture, with quality improvement and provide Indigenous, non-English communication and values-related assurance within the ABC, such speaking background and disability surveys as a continuous monitoring as the ABC Editorial Policies information. In 2011 work experience of the workplace environment. (revised 11 April 2011) and the ABC applications were also put online To maximise the ABC’s diversity Code of Practice (revised 11 April with the same EEO questions. program, external policies and 2011). The Editorial Policies and Results of the 2010 University of practices are monitored through Code of Practice each include Queensland survey of mature age liaison and research in relation to provisions relating to promoting employees provided responses good business practice, legislative and reflecting cultural diversity from 623 staff (over 50%) from changes and trends. The Manager and avoiding the unjustified use the eligible group, to assist Diversity continued to represent of stereotypes or discriminatory with examining the issues and the ABC on external executive content that could reasonably experiences of this group. committees, as a conference be interpreted as condoning or speaker and a diversity award encouraging prejudice. judge. Internally the development The ABC’s equity and diversity of the diversity work is considered policies, practices and activities alongside the business needs and are reported under the areas Corporate objectives. of Gender, Indigenous, Race/ The ABC Workplace Values and Ethnicity, Disability and Workplace The Equal Employment Opportunity Culture and Flexibility. (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987 Code of Conduct statement of requires the ABC to collect statistics principles refers to fairness, the (Section 6(e)) and consider policies, promotion of equity in employment and examine practices (Section 6(f)) in and a workplace that values diversity. regard to women, Aboriginal and Torres Equity and diversity references are Strait Islander people, people from a included in the Recruitment and non-English speaking background and Selection Guidelines. people with disabilities.

9 GED N ER

Recog nising International In Tasmania, the ABC held two forums Women’s Day Centenary in Hobart and Launceston that brought together a broad range of women across This year marked the centenary government, industries and community, around the world, of the celebration of including local Indigenous elders, as well International Women’s Day, in March as former ABC employees. The State 2011. The ABC participated in forums and Director, Fiona Reynolds, hosted the activities in its broadcasting capacity, at events with speakers Margaret Cassidy, the community level and in the workplace. Deputy Director, Technology Division and Two areas delivered major forums — Posie Graeme-Evans, author. Three senior in New South Wales and Tasmania. ABC women—Ursula Groves (Director ABC Radio National’s Life Matters People and Learning), Abigail Thomas program presented a live audience (then A/Director, Innovation Division) and and broadcast forum in New South Kate Torney (Director News) contributed Wales called Women’s Business: all to a DVD with personal messages for the sorted?, produced by Jane Shields. forums and other DVD packages were The host, Richard Aedy, facilitated a panel developed including for on-air and online. discussion on women’s achievements The female attendees were also requested during the past hundred years and the to provide audience feedback about ABC challenges today. The panel included services from this stakeholder group. Professor Marie Bashir, Governor of New South Wales, the Hon Tanya Plibersek Mentoring Program MP, Minister for Human Services, Minister for Women for Social Inclusion, Ann Sherry, Chief A first-time initiative instigated by the Executive Officer of Carnival Australia, Operations Group was the development Miriam Lyons and Kirstie Parker. and implementation of a mentoring scheme for women across the Operation’s areas of the ABC, where the representation of women is lower in the management ranks. This 12-month national pilot program was introduced as a means of support for relevant staff, with career development and progression. Evaluation of the initial workshop at Ultimo, the matching process and experiences of the participants during 2011 has indicated a generally positive response from the 46 mentors and ABC policies and the Equity and Diversity mentees who are taking part. Plan have objectives and strategies that promote equal employment opportunity for women and gender-inclusive and non- discriminatory practices.

10 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2010–11 Left: International Women’s Day Forum, ABC Ultimo. L-R: The Hon Tanya Plibersek, Ann Sherry, Kirstie Parker, Her Excellency Marie Bashir, Miriam Lyons and Richard Aedy Far Left: International Women’s Day, ABC Launceston. L-R: Jocelyn Nettlefold, Fiona Reynolds, Margaret Cassidy, Posie Graeme-Evans and Chrissie Tucker

Women in Sports The scholarships, offered in all Gender Guidelines Broadcasting— states and territories to women for the Asia-Pacific Internship enrolled full-time in a relevant Region TAFE course, aim to increase Opportunities the participation and retention The ABC continued to support ABC divisions continue to sponsor of women in engineering and the development and launch of opportunities for women in areas technology roles within the the Broadcasting for All: Focus of under-representation. The broadcasting industry. Over on Gender guidelines, aimed at Television Division has offered 100 scholarships have been broadcasting organisations in sports broadcaster internships awarded since the program’s the Asia-Pacific area. Assistance for women, with the objective inception 19 years ago, and six included the formulation of the of building a pool of potential previous recipients are currently next steps for supporting the presenters working in the employed by the ABC—in Hobart, take-up and implementation of male-dominated area of sports Perth and Sydney. objectives and strategies in the broadcasting. Under the scheme, guidelines to improve gender The scholarship includes a book the fourth intern, Louise Ransome, representation and portrayal allowance of $1 000 and four commenced a one-year contract in in the region. weeks paid industry experience. September 2010. Previous interns Four scholarships were awarded have continued working with the Men’s Group this year. In March 2011, South ABC in the Television Sports area Western Sydney Institute TAFE Ten years ago, the ABC piloted and with ABC News 24. student, Leanne Nguyen and and then offered across Australia, a Men at Work Program that Women in Broadcast Sydney Institute of Technology TAFE student, Alicia Miller, were focused on the key issues for men Technology— the recipients for New South in their work and personal lives. Scholarship Wales; in April 2011, Chisholm In 2011, many of the New South Opportunities Institute TAFE student, Emile Wales participants celebrated the milestone after continuing The ABC Women in Broadcast Abad received the Victorian to maintain regular contact over Technology Scholarships were award; and in South Australia, this period. originally established in 1992 as TAFE SA student Brianna Bear the ABC Women in Engineering was presented with her scholarship Scholarships. Changes in in August 2011. technology and the skill sets required to support broadcasting equipment, led to a re-launch in 2010 with a new focus.

11 Women in Broadcast Technology Scholarship Presentation, ABC Ultimo. Back row (L-R): Alex Burger, Manager Technical Services, NSW, Michael Sheil, A/Technology Business Partner Associate, Radio and Ken Gallacher, Director Technology Front row: Leanne Nguyen (centre) with her family

Representation of Governance and Leadership

W omen Men Total ABC Board 5 5 10 ABC Advisory Council 7 5 12 ABC Leadership Group, reporting to the Managing Director 4* 7 11 State and Territory Directors 3*† 5 8 * Directors of ABC Commercial, News, People and Learning and Radio *† Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Tasmania Progressing with Leadership Development

Major ABC Leadership Programs % of women participants ABC Accelerated Leaders Program 2009–2011 40% ABC Advanced Managers Program 2010 44% ABC Managers Program 2011 56% ABC Managers Program 2010 53% As well as the learning opportunities for women in management, the Springboard career and personal development program, targeted at women in non-managerial positions, has been offered around Australia. In 2010, there were 18 who completed the Springboard program in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, while three women completed programs, so far in 2011, in Adelaide and Melbourne. Representation of Gender by Occupation

August 2011 August 2010 Women Men Total Women Men Total Occupational Group No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % Senior Executive 135 40.8 196 59.2 331 128 41.4 181 58.6 309 Administrative/ 563 70.6 234 29.4 797 562 70.6 234 29.4 796 Professional Content Maker 1 473 49.6 1 499 50.4 2 972 1 460 48.9 1 529 51.1 2 989 Technologist 48 13.4 309 86.6 357 45 12.4 318 87.6 363 Retail 169 80.5 41 19.5 210 149 79.7 38 20.3 187 Total 2 388 51.2 2 279 48.8 4 667 2 344 50.5 2 300 49.5 4 644

(Number and percentage based on Total Head Count, Non-Casual Staff, within Occupational Group) 12 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2010–11 Women in Broadcast Technology Scholarship Presentation, ABC Adelaide. L-R: Sandra Winter- Dewhirst and Brianna Bear

Representation of Gender within Salary Ranges, > For the second consecutive August 2011 year, the overall number of women employees exceeded the Women Men number of male employees, with 51.2% (2010, 50.5%) women $96 127 and above 43.2 56.8 and 48.8% (2010, 49.5%) men. $84 982–$96 127 40.8 59.2 Five years ago, in 2006, women $76 082–$84 982 43.7 56.3 represented 48.6%, and a decade ago, in 2001, 46.4%. $68 294–$76 082 44.3 55.7 > T he ABC’s percentage of $62 223–$68 294 58.1 41.9 women within the senior $54 230–$62 223 66.9 33.1 management group maintained the representation of over 40% $48 283–$54 230 61.7 38.3 with 40.8% (135) in 2011 and $42 276–$48 283 74.3 25.7 41.4% (128) in 2010. $42 276 and below 79.9 20.1 > T he content maker group continued to close the gap, with (Percentage based on Total Head Count, Non-Casual Staff) the women’s ratio increasing by 0.7% to 49.6% over the past year and up from 46.8% in 2006. > In line with workforce participation across industries, the administrative/professional and the retail groups had high proportions of women, while men dominated the technologist group. > T he high number of women working in the retail group was reflected in the lowest salary ranges.

13 SUPPORTING WOMEN

Sally Corvini, ABC Resources, Hobart, whose Mentor is Alison Hamill, Head Group Audit, shared her views about the Operations Group Mentoring Program for Women. “Last week I travelled to Sydney for the Operations Group Women’s Mentoring Program. Expressions of interest were requested before Christmas and I jumped at the chance to be part of a program that will hopefully take off and become an ABC-wide program next year. The idea is to match mentees with a mentor who manages an area within the Operations Group, but wouldn’t be your direct manager, and ideally didn’t work in the same area you work in. The program runs for ten months and has a follow-up session in Sydney in November. We received tips on how to structure our own particular experience, depending on what your goals are and what your perceived outcome is. The opportunity to be part of a pilot program like this one is really exciting for me and I hope other women from around the country jump on board on the next round.” Sally Corvini, Alison Hamill, ABC Resources, Hobart Extract from the ABC Tasmanian Branch Bulletin Tuned In, 9/3/2011 Head Group Audit

Representation of Gender by Length of Service, August 2011 LENGTH OF SERVICE (NUMBER OF YEARS) > In 2010–11, women dominated in all of the years-of-service >40 Men groups up to 20 years’ service. Women 36–40 Men had the greater numbers in the years-of-service groups 31–35 for more than 20 years. > Women had a higher 26–30 representation in most age 21–25 groups under 45 years, with a greater number of men 45 years 16–20 and older in each age band. 11–15 > O verall, nearly 31% of the Corporation’s workforce was 50 6–10 years and older, while only 14% 1–5 was under 30 years. The median age of ABC female employees at 0 200 400 600 800 1000 the end of the reporting period (Number based on Total Head Count, Non-Casual Staff) was 40 years and the median age of men is 46 years. Representation of Gender by Age, August 2011 > Respondents to the ABC AGE (NUMBER OF YEARS) Workplace Experiences of Mature Age Workers Survey 65+ Men 2010 which was targeted 60–64 Women at employees 50 years and 55–59 older, comprised 59% male respondents and 41% female 50–54 respondents. 45–49 40–44 35–39 30–34 25–29 20–24 <20 0 100 200 300 400 (Number based on Total Head Count, Non-Casual Staff)

14 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2010–11 INDIES G NOU

Paul Brant, Indigenous Employment Co-ordinator, Alison Hamill, presenting the ABC’s Indigenous cultural awareness Head Group Audit eLearning resource

Indigenous Cultural Indigenous staff support the ongoing employment, where Awareness Learning program and non-Indigenous staff there are suitable vacancies, Resource have the opportunity to increase at the successful completion their awareness, have access to of the internship. The ABC, as part of its Reconciliation an ongoing resource, join in the > The Television Division Action Plan, has developed a unique positive forward journey with the continued to target and appoint Indigenous cultural awareness ABC’s Reconciliation Action Plan Indigenous content makers in learning program for all employees. and enhance Indigenous contacts, the Indigenous Department This program consists of a face- storytelling and content. Since through a range of forms of to-face workshop with Indigenous the program’s launch in May 2010, employment. facilitators, that provides an about 880 staff have attended > Actor Luke Carroll joined the introductory experience and link to the workshops. an extensive eLearning tool. The set of Play School during the online tool is a first-time ten-module Key Employment year as one of the regular program of Indigenous history and Measures on-air presenters. culture in Australia, enhanced by a > There were two tailored Indigenous publications and a range of ABC archival records and scholarships devised and range of recruitment formats footage and the voices, faces and awarded by the Television and were used to reach and inform a perspectives of the Corporation’s Radio Divisions. Ryan Griffen was wide range of Indigenous people Indigenous employees. the recipient for the Television about ABC job opportunities. Division and Craig Quartermaine Recruitment processes were was appointed by the Radio tailored to encourage applications Division. These scholarships and maximise the employment aimed to provide significant outcomes. The ABC subscribed to development opportunities an Indigenous-only careers website. through experience, increased Initiatives during the year included skills and mentoring. the following appointments. > Radio Division appointed a > Five interns commenced in the trainee in Western Australia. areas of News (two), Radio (two) and Business Services (one) The Equity and Diversity Plan and during the reporting period. Reconciliation Action Plan include objectives and strategies that provide a The Department of Education, framework to support initiatives linked Employment and Workplace to the ABC’s Corporate target of 2% Relations administers the level of Indigenous employment and internship program by providing a greater connection with Indigenous a database of students communities around Australia. undertaking tertiary studies and Ideas and actions have sprung from matching them with registered the establishment of Indigenous organisations. The ABC provides Employment Reference Groups in financial assistance and work divisions and state and territory-based placements, with a view to working groups.

15 Members of ABC Tasmania’s Indigenous Working Group with representatives from the Riawunna Centre, Rosney College and Claremont College after the Memorandum of Understanding signing. Seated (second from left): Fiona Reynolds, State Director Tasmania and (third from left) Elder Aunty Eva Richardson

Development > Three students from regional New South Wales were selected in the ABC’s ABC Indigenous Staff Scholarships are School to Work Indigenous Scholarships awarded to support staff with their scheme in conjunction with the New career development. The recipients South Wales Department of Education. of the 2010 awards, Grant Saunders, Funds towards their educational Television Division and Roanna Edwards, expenses, two-week work placements Radio Division, continued with their each year and access to a mentor form development projects in 2011. the basis of the program. In 2011, the Paul Brant, Indigenous Employment participating students are located in Co-ordinator, was the recipient of the Lismore, Wagga Wagga and Wollongong. 2010 Rebecca Gregory Indigenous > P reliminary work and discussions have Scholarship by the Australian Institute taken place with high schools in the of Management. western suburbs of Sydney to establish Preparation is underway for the biennial a relationship with the ABC that covers Indigenous Staff Conference to be held a range of potential activities and in Adelaide in November 2011. opportunities for students. Wnorki g with Providers and > In Western Australia, ABC staff participated in the University of Communities to Enhance Western Australia Indigenous Employment Opportunities Careers Expo. As a result one of the Opportunities delivered during the year Communications students took up an or in the pipeline in states and territories, opportunity to “shadow” Television included the following: newsreader Karina Carvalho and > In Tasmania, the ABC developed undertake work experience. and finalised a Memorandum of > S outh Australia provided work Understanding with three local experience for a Year 10 Indigenous educational institutions for Indigenous student, while the Radio Division in work placements. This first-time the Northern Territory is developing arrangement with Claremont College, a program for high school students Rosny College and the Riawunna Centre to learn sports broadcasting and at the University of Tasmania aims to commentating. The Queensland provide up to ten Indigenous students News area offers work experience with work placements at the ABC in 2011. and visits for local Indigenous > C anberra hosted Indigenous students students and trainees. from the Australian Capital Territory Education Department’s Student Aspirations Program for a talk on the employment possibilities at the ABC. Canberra is also developing an Indigenous scholarship program with the University of Canberra.

16 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2010–11 Far Left: University of Western Australia Indigenous Careers Expo. L-R: Frank Manel, Kirsti Melville, ABC Radio National, Agatha Manel and Kris Bathgate, ABC Manager, Technical Services, Western Australia Left: Students from the ACT Government’s Indigenous Aspirations Program at ABC Canberra

CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITIES NAIDOC Week is recognised around Australia through a range of activities, as well as extensive coverage and content related to Indigenous people and achievements across all the ABC platforms. As Sydney was the host city in 2011, a number of major events took place there, starting with the opening ceremony which included guest speaker Dr Anita Heiss and ABC Open Producer Solua Middleton. The ABC Open project DreamBox, undertaken around Australia, focused on Indigenous people and their dreams and at Ultimo contributions were added to the online collection. Other major activities included the ABC Chairman’s lunch with speakers and invited guests, displays, musical acts and the attendance at the NAIDOC Week Ball at the completion of this important week.

The DreamBox project also featured during National Reconciliation Week in Tasmania, as well as discussions between local Indigenous community members, politicians and students with ABC staff on the theme “Let’s Talk Recognition”.

Tasmania celebrated NAIDOC Week with an array of activities ranging from the flag raising ceremony, live music and discussions to a display of photographic and other works by Indigenous students and the launch of a book on Indigenous poetry.

Other areas featured: an event with the Marngrook Footy Show (Victoria); live broadcast and the ABC Exhibition Trailer at the Musgrave Park Family Fun Day and an Indigenous film event (Brisbane); flag raising and guest speakers followed by an Indigenous catered lunch (Adelaide); all-staff afternoon tea with guest speaker and a bushwalk with a local traditional owner to visit rock art (Canberra); and two live broadcasts — a breakfast launch at Roeburne in the Pilbara and a concert in Perth featuring musician, John Bennett.

NAIDOC Week was represented strongly on-air with Radio’s ABC NAIDOC on digital radio and via an online audio stream over the week, with Roanna Edwards (Presenter) and Rhianna Patrick (Executive Producer) and Dr Anita Heiss on Evenings on Local Radio, Sydney. In Darwin, ABC Local Radio broadcast a series of one-hour interviews with Indigenous people during the period.

ABC Local Radio in the Northern Territory provides emergency warning information in Indigenous Top End languages to assist with severe weather threats. NAIDOC Week activities Also in the Northern Territory, triple j is a media supporter of the National (from top) ABC Melbourne, Indigenous Music Awards 2011. ABC Brisbane, ABC Canberra and ABC Adelaide

17 MEET THE LOCALS: RYAN GRIFFEN Ryan Griffen, the 2011 Indigenous Scholarship recipient with ABC TV Factual, is five months into a year-long internship. Having completed placements with the New Inventors and Message Stick, and working currently with Good Game, his ambition is to gain a broad range of experience across the ABC. Ryan is part of a generation who are developing a master-of-all-trades approach to filmmaking. “The main reason I decided to come here was to meet everyone, to get into every department I can and pick their brains as much as possible. My goal would be to come back in a year or two and meet with the people I’ve already met and pitch something.” Extract from the ABC’s intranet news myABC, 4/7/2011

INDIGENOUS PROFILE > The majority of Indigenous staff were content makers. There was one senior > The ABC has a Corporation-wide target executive. of 2% of Indigenous employment. The number of Indigenous employees > The Northern Territory continued to continued to edge upwards, from 53 in have the highest Indigenous employment 2008, 58 in 2009, 62 in 2010 and 64 representation. It was the only state or in 2011. The rate of representation has territory with more than 2% Indigenous increased from 1.3% to 1.4% during 2010–11. staff of the total staff number of the area. Representation of Indigenous People by Occupation

August 2011 August 2010 Occupational Group No. % No. % Senior Executive 1 0.3 1 0.3 Administrative/Professional 9 1.1 8 1.0 Content Maker 50 1.7 48 1.6 Technologist 4 1.1 5 1.4 Retail ---- Total 64 1.4 62 1.3

(Number and percentage based on Total Head Count, Non-Casual Staff, within Occupational Group) Representation of Indigenous People by State/Territory

August 2011 August 2010 State/Territory No. % No. % Northern Territory 9.6 12 8.3 11 New South Wales 1.5 34 1.4 31 South Australia 1.4 5 1.1 4 Queensland 1.2 5 1.3 5 Victoria 0.6 5 0.5 4 Tasmania 0.6 1 1.1 2 Australian Capital Territory 0.6 1 0.5 1 Western Australia 0.4 1 1.4 4 Total 1.4 64 1.3 62

(Number and percentage based on Total Head Count, Non-Casual Staff, within State/Territory)

18 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2010–11 Below: ABC Radio’s DreamBox project, part of the ABC Open online initiative

19 RA CE/ ETHNICITY

E emPLOym nt Opportunities, The performance management system Access and Participation is being used for one area of the ABC at the senior content management level. Parts of the Corporation are reviewing the Key performance indicators include the diversity of their workforce and content requirement to demonstrate an increase and developing strategies to ensure in the diversity, especially ethnic diversity, greater cultural and linguistic diversity. of on-air and off-air creative talent. To assist content areas, background material and frameworks have been ABC Innovation is an industry partner on developed for consideration in planning the Sudanese-Australian Media Project. for this area of diversity. The program is run by the Centre for Advanced Journalism at Melbourne University, headed by Michael Gawenda, and has received an Australian Research Council grant. The project is a journalism training initiative for Sudanese people in Australia, which aims to provide them with the skills to make their own media and to have a greater voice within mainstream journalism. In November 2010, an eight-week journalism pilot training program was held and 14 Sudanese Australian students completed the course. The ABC helped develop the training program and 11 ABC journalists acted as mentors to the students. A more developed, 12-week The Equity and Diversity Plan 2008–11 and ABC policies contain objectives and training program has been created and strategies that focus on race/ethnicity and starts in September 2011, with ABC staff the representation of people from a non- as trainers and mentors. English speaking background (NESB). Under government and community The ABC’s Charter requires the broadcast schemes, work experience is provided to of programs that contribute to a sense of migrants with professional qualifications national identity and reflect the cultural from non-English speaking backgrounds. diversity of the Australian community. ABC Commercial’s Music area formed The ABC Editorial Policies include provisions relevant to promoting and a partnership with the Skilled Migrant reflecting cultural diversity: Mentoring Program and provided > the ABC is committed to presenting, four weeks unpaid work experience over time, content that addresses a for a skilled migrant to assist with the broad range of subjects from a diversity familiarisation of Australian workplace of perspectives reflecting a diversity of culture and to gain local experience. experiences, presented in a diversity of ways from a diversity of sources.

20 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2010–11 Radio Australia hosted an Raising Awareness The take-up of the recognition and Indonesian youth reporter in and Collaboration celebration of Harmony Day and March 2011 as part of the inaugural other local festivals and special Australian Stories project, in The New South Wales State days and visits increases each partnership with the Australia Director, Peter Longman, year. Highlights were: Technology Indonesia Institute. Over four facilitated a panel on Media Division held a shared lunch for weeks, the program provides the and Values: Its influence & staff with cuisine relating to their opportunity for the participant responsibilities for social ethics cultural background and a set-up to develop skills and to share the as part of the City of Sydney of a photography booth where experience with bloggers and radio Living in Harmony initiative in staff displayed on a board the word listeners in Indonesia. April 2011. This forum focused “technology” in their own language on the impact of media on social Employees from non-English (see photos far left); Hobart harmony conducted by the Affinity recognised Hiroshima Day by a speaking backgrounds are able Intercultural Foundation. The to access communication courses foyer display and live broadcast; the State Director also presented the South Australian College of English as part of the New South Wales Media Award at New South Wales Skillmax Program. During the group toured the ABC Adelaide Parliament House as part of the site; support was provided by Radio year, through consultation with 2011 Australian Affinity Awards. state and territory management, for the Parramasala Festival—a other locations were identified A number of ABC content makers celebration of South Asian that require this form of training and representatives broadcast culture; North Queensland staff for their staff and general cultural from, and attended, forums aimed supported the annual Greek Fest at awareness training. Providers at increasing awareness of local Townsville; and live broadcasts took and programs were sourced for Muslim communities in Sydney. In place in the western suburbs of Adelaide and Melbourne. early April 2011, 702 ABC Sydney, Sydney featuring culturally diverse with host Simon Marnie, presented communities, as part of the New a live broadcast from the Lakemba South Wales Election coverage. Mosque Open Day. This cross- Radio Australia embraced and cultural event was attended by showcased three major cultural over 3 000 people with the aim events in Victoria with links of connecting with the broader to overseas audiences: a live community through a range of broadcast celebrating the end of interactive tours, interviews, the Chinese New Year; the Khmer Above (L-R): forums and roving reporters. team partnered with Television Radio Australia Australian Stories project youth of Kampuchea to take part in reporter, Astrid Mariska Berendsen 702 ABC Sydney’s Simon Marnie (left) at the Lakemba Melbourne’s Cambodian New Year Mosque Open Day, Sydney celebrations; and the hosting and 2011 Australian Affinity Awards, New South Wales partnering of the Pacific Break Parliament House. L-R: Peter Longman, State Director musical talent quest. New South Wales and Hamish MacDonald, Media Award winner Hiroshima Day activity, ABC Hobart. 936 ABC Hobart’s Michael Veitch with performers Far left: Harmony Day 2011, ABC Ultimo. Participants from Technology Division

21 MUSIC DELI FINDS ITS RHYTHM 25 YEARS ON Radio National’s Music Deli turns 25-years-old today and to celebrate Paul Petran and producer Alice Keath have delved into the archive of 2 000 recordings to string together 50 hours of non-stop music and interviews. When Petran and Stephen Snelleman pitched an idea for a new radio show to ABC Music unit producers in 1986 all they wanted was, “a program that reflected the cultural diversity around us”. In July of ’86 Petran got his wish, and the inexperienced radio producer with an eclectic taste in music was given license to play samples of the folk music he was discovering around Melbourne. First we had Greek and Turkish communities and South American—Chilean, but in the last couple of years there has been a lot of African musicians—Sudanese, Eritrean, Ethiopian,” Petran said. Petran’s Music Deli playlist is the sound of multicultural Australia. Extract from the ABC’s intranet news myABC, 1/7/2011

Content and Services The online Religion and Ethics portal was launched over a year ago in July 2010, as a site encompassing commentary, analysis, news and features on a wide range of religious, ethical and philosophical issues. The site is edited by Scott Stephens and hosts contributions from the world’s influential leaders in this area.

ABC’s international broadcasting operations continued to build on services and engagement in the Asia-Pacific region. Radio Australia employs a high number of staff from non-English speaking backgrounds, whose broad range of language skills is essential to deliver a product to Asia and the Pacific. Australia Network’s Study English program recorded a very large number of vodcast downloads throughout the region.

Many programs feature news and stories on people and cultures, for example: Radio National celebrated 25 years on-air of its program Music Deli, that reflects Australia’s cultural diversity through music. ABC Open regional project, One on One: Goulburn Valley Refugees, provided personal stories of ten refugees who have settled in this area, through audio and photographs.

Audience surveys are undertaken to ascertain views with questions including country of birth and languages spoken at home. The results of the surveys can assist the ABC to gauge the appeal of its services by community diversity and can link this information and feedback to the composition of the ABC workforce. Results from the annual ABC Appreciation Survey in June 2011 indicated that 89% of non-Australian born respondents believe the ABC performs a valuable role and 81% believe the ABC broadcasts programs reflecting the cultural diversity of the Australian community.

22 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2010–11 NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING BACKGROUND PROFILE Representation of People of Non-English Speaking Background by Occupation

August 2011 August 2010 Staff with EEO Data Staff with EEO Data Occupational Group No. % No. % No. % No. % Senior Executive 35 11.6 303 91.5 27 10.0 269 87.1 Administrative/Professional 123 18.3 674 84.6 109 16.8 647 81.3 Content Maker 179 8.5 2 118 71.3 165 7.9 2 083 69.7 Technologist 79 24.6 321 89.9 80 24.8 322 88.7 Retail 22 13.8 160 76.2 16 12.7 126 67.4

Total 438 12.3 3 576 76.6 397 11.5 3 447 74.2

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

> The representation of staff > Divisions with the highest Above left: Radio Australia, Melbourne. Radio Australia’s Chhieng Yuth (centre) with from non-English speaking proportion of staff from non- visiting Television of Kampuchea crew backgrounds at the end of English speaking background Above middle: Radio Australia, Melbourne. August 2011 was 12.3% (438), are: Communications Networks, Radio Australia’s Jason Fang and Elia Leong an increase of 0.8% (397) from Business Services, ABC broadcast live for Chinese New Year Above right: 702 ABC Sydney, Outside Broadcast, last year and 1.4% higher than International, and Technology. Blacktown. Deborah Cameron with members of five years ago (10.9%). > The main languages of ABC the Sudanese community > The technologist occupational staff who completed the EEO group had the highest ratio survey and nominated their with nearly one-quarter of staff non-English speaking language from non-English speaking background are: Italian (71), backgrounds. Content makers, Chinese, including Cantonese although with the lowest and Mandarin (64), German proportion of NESB, as a group (50), Greek (44), French (43) are steadily increasing over time. and Arabic (25).

23 DISA BILIty

Launhf c o the ABC’s E emPLOym nt Opportunities, Disability Portal—Rpam U Reasonable Adjustment A major initiative of the ABC Innovation and Access Division was the launch of the first-time As part of the implementation of the online portal, Ramp Up, on 3 December Disability Portal, two key positions were 2010. Senator the Hon Jan McLucas, advertised and people with disabilities Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities were encouraged to apply. Stella Young, and Carers, hosted the launch event in who is a wheelchair user, was appointed Brisbane to coincide with the International as Editor of Ramp Up to oversee content Day of People with Disability. Over the and commissioning. Robert Szucs was year, the portal featured articles, opinion employed as a Developer dedicated to pieces, video, audio and still images from enhancing the website’s accessibility a range of sources about disability issues and customising functionality. in relation to a range of subjects and Another first was the signing up to the perspectives, particularly from people Paralympic Workplace Program by the with disabilities. Contributors generated Technology and Television Divisions. This stories including disability reform, program assists athletes to meet their accessible parking and mental health sporting commitments while engaging issues. Items from other ABC sites related with a flexible working arrangement. Two to disability are also linked to the website. athletes have so far been employed by the Television Division, Kylie Gauci in Sydney and Kelly Cartwright in Melbourne. A third athlete, Ben Weekes, has been appointed and will commence in September 2011. The News Division appoints a cohort of cadets each year for a career in The Equity and Diversity Plan 2008–11 includes journalism at the ABC and this year one of objectives and strategies that focus on people with disabilities. the cadets, who is blind, was appointed in February 2011. The ABC is a member of the Australian Network on Disability and during the year developed The ABC participates in the Australian a disability plan for 2011, drawing on the Network on Disability’s Willing and Able strategies from the Corporation’s Equity and Mentoring Program. Final-year tertiary Diversity Plan. students, who have a disability, are The ABC Editorial Policies and ABC Code of matched with a mentor from an industry Practice each require ABC staff to avoid the related to their studies. Television Division unjustified use of stereotypes or discriminatory has worked with a number of students content that could reasonably be interpreted as over the years, with the provision of condoning or encouraging prejudice. Reference mentoring, work placement and support. is made to the Commonwealth government website, Mindframe, as a source of additional One of the former participants is now information about the reporting and portrayal working as a Researcher within the of people with mental illness. Television area. ABC Resources joined the

24 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2010–11 Far left: Kylie Gauci, Paralympic Athlete Middle left: Stella Young, Editor of Ramp Up Left: South Australian Country Hour presenter, Annabelle Homer with guide dog in training, Barley

program this year with Content Raising Awareness Senior managers from Television Services agreeing to a mentoring and Collaboration Division, David Anderson and arrangement in Melbourne. Stephen Murray, represent the The Western Australian interns ABC as disability champions at Two areas—the News Division and who completed Radio work the Operations Group—promote the Australian Network on placements at the ABC, developed Disability forums. the employment of people with a DVD and kit that is a resource disabilities, by providing roles for for journalists and program News Division’s PM Presenter, office assistants with learning makers when reporting and Mark Colvin raised awareness difficulties, through an external producing stories about people of organ donation by on-air disability job placement agency. with disabilities. Along with other stories and articles about his In Western Australia, the Disability resources this tool was provided own experiences as a dialysis Services Commission partners to ABC content areas for user for his damaged kidneys with organisations to provide awareness purposes. and how he balances his work work placements for people with and life commitments with Mental Health First Aid Certificate medical requirements. disabilities. Two interns were Courses have been undertaken appointed from April 2010 until the by ABC People and Learning South Australia Country Hour end of 2010 in the Radio Division, Managers and other relevant presenter Annabelle Homer to generate stories and pitch staff in all states and territories. became a guardian for a Royal ideas that embrace and promote Depression awareness seminars, Society for the Blind guide dog the inclusion of disability in open to all staff, have now also in training. This involved bringing communities across all ABC been delivered in all locations. A the dog to work, which raised Local platforms. final report was compiled about awareness of the role of this The Technology Division consults the project with recommendations type of support for people with with, and supports employees for the next stage. disabilities. with disabilities, with updated One of the strategies in the technology to ensure access Equity and Diversity Plan required issues are properly identified customised disability awareness and addressed. Generally, staff training for ABC staff who deal and potential staff are provided with the public, through areas such with reasonable adjustment and as the switchboard, reception and access, from the recruitment audience control. Workshops were stage, induction and during the held in March 2011 with 13 staff period of employment and within from a range of divisions. existing workplaces and planning for new buildings. In 2011 work was Managers are provided with underway on strengthening the information about support for emergency procedures for staff physical adjustments in the with disabilities. workplace and in 2011 a revised managers’ guide about disability in the workplace was made available in all states and territories.

25 Content, Services and Products Captioning The ABC continued to increase the amount and diversity of captioned programs for people who are hearing impaired or deaf. In 2010–11 the ABC broadcast about 20 000 hours of captioned content on ABC1, ABC2, ABC3, ABC4 Kids and ABC News 24, with over 6 000 hours of captioned content broadcast between 6pm and midnight. In addition, to access via Television, the ABC is now able to provide over 120 hours of new captioned content each week via ABC iView and offer the public free access to over 450 programs at any given time. ABC iView content has also now been made available via many connected Televisions, BluRay devices, ipads and gaming consoles. Nearly all programming on ABC1 between 6pm and midnight is now captioned and as with previous years the ABC continues to caption important national and public events, such as state ANZAC Day Marches and the Gallipoli and Villers-Bretonneux Memorial services as well as major breaking news stories such as the Queensland floods and the earthquake and tsunami coverage in Japan. The range of program genres covered included arts, documentary, sport, news, current affairs, children’s, factual, Indigenous, drama and entertainment. Specific titles from the past year included the new Australian-made programming such as Crownies, Angry Boys, Paper Giants, as well as returning series such as The Gruen Transfer, Spicks and Specks, Gardening Australia, Q&A and Australian Story along with the regular commitment to the main evening News bulletins, 7.30 and Lateline. The feedback from viewers in regard to caption outputs and quality is essential to the ABC if it is to stay informed and to continue to serve the needs of its audience. The ABC is fully committed to meeting with groups and organisations representing the Deaf and Hearing Impaired community and to strengthen and promote the commitment to maintaining high quality captions across all platforms and services.

26 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2010–11 TRANSPLANTING OUR MINDSET ON ORGAN DONATION Hooked up to a dialysis machine, PM Presenter Mark Colvin asks why Australia’s organ donation rates are so low—and how they can be raised. “I’m writing this in my renal unit of the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney’s south. I’m, typing with my right hand because I am not allowed to use my left. The reason? I’m on dialysis...Over 16 years, my renal function has gone from bad to worse. Last month my doctor told me my kidney function was down to five per cent. Dialysis is a way of dealing with this problem...This goes on for five hours. Then I go to work...But it means I can no longer really travel—I’m chained to this routine, three days a week, indefinitely. There is an alternative to all this; a kidney transplant: but it’s a distant alternative. The average wait for a kidney in this country is four years, but waits of seven years are not uncommon... Australia has made some changes in recent times with a view to improving the donation rate, but we still lag behind the world, and there’s a long way to go.“ Extract from the ABC’s intranet news myABC, 20/10/2010 (First published on The Drum)

ABC Commercial actively seeks > a contract has been secured development workshops were to create and license consumer for publishing large print and held in Melbourne and Sydney products in a variety of formats Braille ABC books in 2011–12 to that highlighted the work of the that meet the needs of its improve services for the visually site with representatives from customers and audience. impaired; Media Access Australia. In 2010–11, these included: > A BC Shops display signage to > A BC DVDs carry captions/ enhance customer awareness EMPLOYEES WITH subtitles, with the exception of captioned products and to DISABILITIES PROFILE of some DVDs for pre-school encourage customers to ask > There were 245 employees children, in order to better for assistance; and with disabilities, representing meet the needs of the deaf and > ABC Shop Online has unique 8.2% of staff who provided hearing impaired community; features to assist those with EEO data, which was reasonably > D VD titles sourced from disabilities to access the site and higher than the ABC’s target of overseas have captioned/ to identify relevant products. 5% people with disabilities of all staff. subtitled DVDs where available; The newly appointed position > A BC Music produces audiobooks associated with the accessibility > The technologist and senior and also licenses content to of the Disability Portal has ensured executive occupational groups leading audiobook producers a high standard for that site and had the highest ratios. to improve access to content is used as a benchmark for other for the visually impaired ABC sites. In addition, design and community;

Representation of People with Disabilities by Occupation

August 2011 August 2010 Staff with EEO Data Staff with EEO Data Occupational Group No. % No. % No. % No. % Senior Executive 24 9.1 263 79.5 18 8.0 224 72.5 Administrative/Professional 55 8.7 629 78.9 54 9.1 594 74.6 Content Maker 120 7.2 1 676 56.4 122 7.5 1 619 54.2 Technologist 34 12.2 278 77.9 34 12.3 276 76.0 Retail 12 7.6 157 74.8 7 5.7 123 65.8

Total 245 8.2 3 003 64.4 235 8.3 2 836 61.1

(Number and percentage based on Total Head Count, Non-Casual Staff, within Occupational Group, who provided information on the ABC’s EEO Data Collection Form that indicated they have a disability. Staff with EEO data represents Total Head Count, Non-Casual Staff, who completed the disability section of the EEO Data Collection Form—both those who have a disability and those who do not have a disability.)

27 WO RKPLACE CULTURE AND FLEXIBILITY

A Positive Workplace A Positive Community Culture Collaboration The ABC Strategic Plan 2010–13 has a As part of the recognition of the major goal “to demonstrate ABC Values International Day Against Homophobia in every aspect of our work”. The ABC in May 2011, triple j collaborated with the Strategic Plan reiterates the ABC Values ACON organisation to create the This is of Integrity, Respect, Collegiality and Oz campaign. Participants were invited Innovation. These values are referred to express messages about celebrating to, throughout the Corporation, in diversity and challenging discrimination, correspondence and documents and are including online photographs of demonstrated and encouraged through community members writing messages appropriate behaviour, actions and on hand-written signs, which were initiatives. included on the triple j website. The ABC Workplace Behaviour Policy addresses the areas of discrimination, Mature Age Survey harassment, anti-bullying and complaint A first-time survey was completed by resolution and is supported with relevant ABC staff who were 50 years and older training—the Creating a Better Place to in 2010, with a high response rate of Work workshop, for managers and staff. over 50% (623 employees). The results During the year there were 27 workshops provided a snapshot of this group’s held around Australia. Overall, there have profile related to psychological well-being, been about 5 700 employees who have workplace attitudes and behaviours, attended, since the introduction of this training and development, retirement and program and there have been reviews mentoring. A report has been compiled of both the policies and the workshop that summarises the results with initial content and delivery. recommendations for consideration In the Australian Capital Territory, the later in 2011. Leadership Team welcomes new staff with a positive workplace briefing to provide early and supportive connections across the divisions.

The Equity and Diversity Plan 2008–11 and ABC policies have objectives and strategies that contribute to a positive and flexible workplace environment.

28 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2010–11 Work and Life Another resource for staff is the equipped facility for this purpose. Balance online Eldercare Information Kit A comprehensive vacation care under licence for two years. This information service is provided The ABC Enterprise Agreement kit assists employees with elder for New South Wales staff. 2010–2013 includes provisions for care responsibilities, and covers flexible working conditions, some of In Victoria, a survey of all staff the areas of care services, health, was undertaken as part of the which are flexible hours, part-time safety and security, consumer work and job sharing, carer’s leave, review of the services for the rights, money matters and loss proposed new accommodation in purchased leave, paid maternity and grief. leave and unpaid parental leave. Melbourne. The results highlighted Work is underway on the update that flexible work arrangements The Corporation offers flexibility and revised online format of are a significant consideration for in work arrangements and job the About Choice booklets for many staff with a range of views design, access to facilities and the managers and staff, that outlines and expectations. As a result of provision of information services detailed provisions and resources these responses, a number of and awareness-raising forums. relating to parental leave and recommendations have been During the reporting period, work/life balance. tabled for consideration. 196 women were undertaking One of the strategies of the Equity All states and territories maternity leave; one male and Diversity Plan completed endeavour to provide work/life employee was on parental leave in 2011 was the audit of all the programs, with an array of lifestyle without pay; and at the end of the work and life policies, resources and health-related seminars, reporting period, there were 555 and activities that are currently classes and membership offers to female and 129 male ongoing part- available at the Corporation local health centres and activities. time employees. together with the relevant To support managers in their role legislative provisions. From this Employee Support with implementing flexibility, the list, a table was compiled that The ABC’s Employee Assistance ABC introduced an interactive outlined provisions and resources Program (EAP), provided by online resource called flex-e, that the ABC could consider for Davidson Trahaire Corpsych, in July 2009. This tool, under the future. provides a counselling service for licence for 12 months, aimed to ABC staff and their families for provide managers with knowledge, Childcare Services both work and personal problems. confidence and skills in applying and Work/Life During the year, 365 employees flexible work solutions for staff in a Programs and family members accessed range of situations. Childcare facilities are available the service. As a follow up, a toolkit version of on premises at Ultimo (24 ABC- The News Division continued to the resource was taken up for a priority places) at the University operate a cross-divisional Trauma further year. ABC case studies and of Technology Sydney (25 Awareness program. More than links to ABC policies, resources, places) and off-site in Melbourne 900 staff and managers around the agreements and templates (10 places). Around Australia country have attended a workshop. supplemented the content of there are parenting rooms for both resources. staff and visitors, with the new Brisbane building to include a fully-

29 OBC JE TivES AND EVALUATION

SETTING OBJECTIVES AND The Reconciliation Action Plan 2009–12 SELECTING INDICATORS has actions, areas of responsibility, timelines and measurable targets The objectives of the ABC’s Equity and under four main headings of Diversity Plan 2008–11 are to: Respect, Opportunities—Employment, > p romote a culture of opportunity Opportunities—Content and Relationships. through the ABC Executive Leadership The ABC Strategic Plan 2010–13 has Group that demonstrates an inclusive six strategic goals that commit the workplace based on shared values; Corporation to being: audience focused, > c ontribute to a co-operative and high quality, innovative, values based, harmonious work environment free of efficient and responsible. Equity and unlawful discrimination, harassment diversity related actions are reflected in and bullying; a range of the performance indicators > r ecognise, value and use the diverse linked to the goals. skills, cultural values and backgrounds of our current and potential employees; MONITORING AND > p romote an environment that supports EVALUATION the work and life balance needs of The overall progress of the Equity and employees; Diversity Plan and the Reconciliation > implement the ABC’s Charter to reflect Action Plan is reported in the ABC’s Equity the diversity of Australian life by the and Diversity Annual Report and the ABC provision of inclusive and accessible Annual Report. The Equity and Diversity content and services by and for all Annual Report 2009–10 was tabled in the Australians; and House of Representatives on 23rd February 2011 and the Senate on 1st March 2011. > link the equity and diversity plan with internal corporate-wide frameworks In 2011, the Equity and Diversity Plan was and external reporting and trends. reviewed in detail, with a progress report for each strategy and distributed as The Equity and Diversity Plan has detailed the Final Year Equity and Diversity Plan actions, targets, timelines and areas of Strategy Rollout 2011. The Reconciliation responsibility included with each objective. Action Plan Monitoring Group compiles an interim and final report each year. The Corporation participated in the 2010 Corporate Responsibility Index Survey, with the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace section responses being evaluated at 100%. The ABC participates in The Equal Employment Opportunity external benchmarking surveys related to (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987 diversity on a regular basis to complement requires the ABC to set objectives and select the monitoring and evaluation processes indicators (Section 6(g)) and to monitor and and the development of future plans. evaluate the EEO program. (Section 6 (h)).

30 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2010–11 This report is published by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Designed by Pro Bono Publico E QUAL EMPloYMENT OPPORTUNITY REPORT TO THE MINISTER FOR BROADBAND, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE DIGITAL ECONOMY