AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION EQUITY AND DIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT 2012–13 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION EQUITY AND DIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT 2012–13 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY REPORT TO THE MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS Published by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation 2013 ISSN 1839-3292 For information about this report, Please contact: Manager Diversity People and Learning Australian Broadcasting Corporation GPO Box 9994 Sydney 2001 Front Cover: Reconciliation Action Plan Showcase event, February 2013, Canberra ACT, arranged by Reconciliation Australia. L-R: Dr Tom Calma, AO, Co-Chair Reconciliation Australia and Charlie King, Chair ABC Bonner Committee 2 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2012–13 CONTENTS THE ABC EQUITY AND DIVERSITY PROGRAM 5 RESPONSIBILITY 7 COMMUNICATION 8 DIVERSITY ACTIVITY AND REPRESENTATION 9 Gender 10 Indigenous 15 Cultural and Linguistic Diversity 21 Disability 24 Workplace Culture and Flexibility 29 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 functions and the report, as it reflects a broader duties of the Corporation. coverage of related objectives and As a Commonwealth authority strategies. employer, the ABC is bound by the For the purposes of the Equal provisions of the Equal Employment Employment Opportunity Opportunity (Commonwealth (Commonwealth Authorities) Act Authorities) Act 1987, the Racial 1987, this report articulates the ABC’s Discrimination Act 1975, the Sex equal employment opportunity (EEO) Discrimination Act 1984, the program as realised through its Australian Human Rights Commission equity and diversity strategies, which Act 1986, the Disability Discrimination are set out in the ABC Equity and Act 1992, the Age Discrimination Act Diversity Plan 2012–15 and the ABC 2004 and the Fair Work Act 2009. Reconciliation Action Plan 2013–2015. This report is made under It demonstrates that the Corporation’s the provisions of s.9(2) of the EEO program is on track. Equal Employment Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987. The reporting period covers 1 September 2012 to 31 August 2013. 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 (NESB) and people with disabilities. 4 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2012–13 THE ABC EQUITY AND DIVERSITY PROGRAM The ABC developed and launched In line with the launch of the new In August 2013, the ABC Radio its current diversity plans in 2012 plans, there has been a surge of National program AWAYE! celebrated and 2013. The ABC Equity and interest, activity, commitment and 21 years of broadcasting as Australia’s Diversity Plan 2012–15 and the ABC innovation that has brought about only national Indigenous arts and Reconciliation Action Plan 2013–2015 increased diversity application and culture radio program. provide the Corporation with a awareness. There are a growing The Technology Division’s Women framework to continue to promote number of diversity champions or in Broadcast Technology Scholarship diversity and support a fair and sponsors across the Corporation, program has also been in operation inclusive workplace. The plans include with senior managers taking an active for over 21 years. key areas, objectives, strategies and and visible role supporting initiatives. The representation of women performance indicators that form The ABC launched its second continues to increase overall at the overall focus and activity of the ABC Reconciliation Action Plan the ABC, and within the senior Corporation’s equity and diversity 2013–2015 under the stewardship management ranks and the content- program over the next few years. of the Corporation’s Indigenous maker group. Equity and diversity cover a broad primary advisory group, the Bonner Cultural diversity strategies have area of attributes, related to current Committee. Each division developed been a focus of effort for the content and potential people working at Indigenous employment plans that divisions. The News Division, as part the ABC and the culture of the nominate specific targets and actions of its 2013 Newsgathering Project, workplace environment. to increase employment levels and embarked on a comprehensive A number of the ABC’s Corporate- engagement, particularly to meet recruitment campaign, to attract wide policies and strategies reflect the ABC’s initial target of 2% and appoint a more culturally- elements of diversity. The ABC Indigenous employment. diverse workforce. Charter requires the broadcasting of In 2012–13, the Operations Group During the reporting period, the programs that contribute to a sense reached the ABC’s target of Television Division and the Operations of national identity and reflect the 2% Indigenous employment Group in particular actively sought cultural diversity of the Australian representation for the first time. to increase employment levels of community. The ABC Strategic Plan This was achieved through a people with a disability. The ABC also 2013–16 highlights the importance concentrated effort of innovative maintained its commitment to: work of diversity by including as two of recruitment practices. This and life balance initiatives, this year the strategies under the goal of conglomerate of divisions covers focusing particularly on telework; the being Values based—to “embrace one-third of the Corporation’s provision of mental health training and and promote diversity in recruitment employees through the areas of awareness sessions for managers and and content strategies” and to ABC Resources, Business Services, staff; and workshops and information “adopt and implement the ABC Communications Networks, Office for mature age employees. Reconciliation Action Plan”. The ABC of the Chief Operating Officer Editorial Policies support a diversity and Technology. During National of perspectives. The ABC’s Values Reconciliation Week, the ABC include respect and collegiality and commissioned and unveiled plaques refer to embracing diversity. in ABC buildings in all capital cities Over the reporting period, much and Launceston that acknowledged has been achieved to tailor the the local Indigenous communities. plans across the Corporation. Divisions have selected relevant and reasonable focus areas and The Australian Broadcasting Corporation is required by the Equal activities to progress their diversity Employment Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987 (s.5) representation and profile. to develop an equal employment opportunity (EEO) program designed to eliminate discrimination and promote equal opportunity for women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from a non-English speaking background and people with disabilities. 5 Indigenous Acknowledgement Plaque unveiling ceremony, Reconciliation Week 2013, ABC Ultimo. L–R: ABC Managing Director Mark Scott, AO and ABC Chairman James Spigelman, AC, QC ABC EQUITY AND DIVERSITY ABC RECONCILIATION The ABC Managing Director PLAN 2012–15 ACTION PLAN 2013–2015 announced that one of the seven strategic priorities for the ABC in 2013 The ABC Equity and Diversity Plan The ABC Reconciliation Action was to demonstrate commitment 2012–15 covers the period 1 January Plan 2013–2015 covers the period to delivering the targets included in 2012 to 31 December 2015. 1 January 2013 to 31 December the ABC Reconciliation Action Plan Key Areas 2015. It is the Corporation’s second 2013–2015. Reconciliation Action Plan, following > Being Inclusive — how the the expiry of the previous plan which ABC embraces diversity in the RECOGNITION covered the period 2009 to 2012. workplace. The focus areas are The plan builds on the work already During the reporting period the leadership, workplace culture, underway as a means of improving ABC won the Randstad Award that representation in the workforce the recognition and engagement of recognised the Corporation as and awareness. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia’s most attractive employer > Being Audience Focused — how people in the work of the ABC. The overall, following the previous year’s the ABC delivers content which plan commits the ABC to improving award of second most attractive reflects diversity. The focus opportunities for Aboriginal and employer. The awards are determined areas are representation across Torres Strait Islander people in four by an independent online survey of a ABC platforms and community key areas: representative sample of Australia’s satisfaction. working age population. > Cultural Understanding > Being Audience Accessible — how and Respect the ABC supports access to our > Employment products and services. The focus > Content area is accessible services. > Community Links. The plan is a broad-based Corporate framework and has been adapted by most divisions using the broad format and identifying key areas of focus. The Operations Group and the State and Territory Directors opted for a tailored Below left: Indigenous Acknowledgement Plaque unveiling ceremony, Reconciliation Week 2013,