Equity Diversity Annual Report 2000-2001

Contents Overview . .2 Legislative Requirements . .9 Equity and Diversity Management Plan 1998–2002 . .15 Specific Programs . .18 Human Resources Policies and Activities . .18 Gender . .23 Indigenous People . .27 Cultural Diversity . .32 People with Disabilities . .37 Work and Life . .42 Australian Broadcasting Corporation Subsidiaries . .45 Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2000–2001 The Australian Broadcasting Corporation is the national broadcaster 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 basic functions and duties of the Corporation. As a Commonwealth authority employer, the ABC is bound by the provisions of the Equal Employment Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987, the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, the Sex Discrimination Act 1984, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. 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 2000 to 31 August 2001. Included in this report are details of the progress of strategies from the ABC’s Equity and Diversity Management Plan that covers the period 1998 –2002. 1 Overview During the 2000–01 year the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is approaching its 70th anniversary and remains, as the national broadcaster, integral to the strength of the mixed economy of commercial and non-commercial broadcasting in Australia. The ABC’s character and status in the community is expressed through its distinctive range of programming and services across radio, television and new media — and through its competitive spirit in aspiring to attract and engage the interest of audiences. The Corporate Plan 1999–2002 provided the vision, values and objectives for the ABC for the past year, focusing on the core objective of fulfilling the ABC’s Charter responsibilities and in undergoing the process of digital transformation. Digital terrestrial television broadcasting commenced on 1 January 2001 and the rollout of transmission facilities throughout regional Australia will continue over the next few years. Vision of the In the new century, the ABC will build on its strengths as an Corporate Plan independent public broadcaster to enrich the lives of all Australians by offering a greater choice of programs that inform, educate and 1999–2002 entertain. The ABC will play a leading role in developing innovative new services of increased relevance, localism and immediacy. Values of the In achieving the vision of the Corporate Plan, the ABC values: Corporate Plan • the guiding principles of the Charter and the ABC Act; • the loyalty of audiences and the ABC’s connection to local communities and communities of interest in Australia and the region; • the ABC’s central place in the broadcasting and online environments in Australia’s cultural community; • public funding of the ABC and the prohibition on advertising and sponsorship; • the ABC’s standards of fairness, accuracy and impartiality; and • the skills and commitment of ABC employees and its contributors. 2 Overview Objective One: Fulfilling the Charter and Other Responsibilities under the Key Objectives of the ABC Act The Charter requires the ABC to provide broadcasting services of a high Corporate Plan standard, which, amongst other considerations: • contribute to a sense of national identity and reflect the cultural diversity of the Australian community; and • are comprehensive and provide a balance between programs of wide-appeal and specialised programs. Objective Two: Transforming ABC Services in the Digital Age The ABC needs to respond flexibly and adapt strategies in the digital environment. Objective Three: Developing Australian Content Contributing to a sense of national identity and reflecting the cultural diversity of the Australian community are important ABC functions, met by the provision of Australian content. Objective Four: Expanding Services to Local and Regional Communities The new digital environment offers opportunities to extend the ABC’s relevance to Australian communities through multichannelling, datacasting and the continued development of ABC Online. To realise these opportunities, the ABC must be in a position to better identify audience needs and community interests across Australia and to allow local, as well as national, responses to those needs. It will also need effective planning for the deployment of resources and the development of skills around Australia. Objective Five: Developing Efficiency and Effectiveness Productivity improvements are a prerequisite for the development of ABC programs and services in the new media environment. 3 Overview Corporate Policies During the year the ABC undertook a comprehensive review of its Agreements and Editorial Policies document, including extensive consultation, which will be completed in the next year. The current policies include references Structure to: • Cultural Diversity (Section 6) — cultural diversity and national identity, a multicultural community, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Programs and reporting from overseas. • International Broadcasting Services (Section 7) — International services, cultural perspectives, guidelines for international reportage and editorial perspectives. • Program Standards (Section 9) — Use of language, discrimination and stereotypes, sex and sexuality, religious programs and closed captioning for people who are hearing impaired or deaf. The Editorial Policies also outline a list of guiding principles (Section 2.5.2) including: • be identifiably Australian and be a distinctive, innovative broadcaster, with a mix of broad appeal and specialist programs; • extend the range of ideas and experiences available to Australians; • strive to be a valued part of Australian life; • provide the best, most reliable and independent coverage and analysis of contemporary international, national, State/Territory and regional issues, ideas and events; • provide programming which reflects awareness of the changing social, economic and demographic circumstances of the Australian population; • work with relevant groups, including regional, ethnic and Indigenous ones, to foster appreciation of Australia’s unique and diverse multicultural community; • provide authoritative, quality educational programs, including English language teaching programs, within and outside Australia; • develop the natural specialised strengths which States and Territories can contribute to national diversity; 4 Overview • have regard to the well-being, training and development of its employees; and • as an employer, be non-discriminatory and seek to promote equality of opportunity. The ABC’s Code of Practice outlines general and specific program codes including references to language, discrimination, portrayal of women and avoidance of stereotypes and closed captioning. The Service Commitment is a statement of what the Australian public is entitled to expect in dealings with the ABC. In October 2000 the ABC introduced the new Workplace Values and Code of Conduct document which establishes specific conduct requirements and provides information on issues of judgement both within the workplace and when employees are representing the ABC externally. Workplace values state that the ABC will provide a fair, flexible, safe and rewarding workplace that is free from discrimination; facilitate co-operation and culture of respect, courtesy and inclusiveness; and promote equity in employment and a workplace that values diversity. The Corporate Plan and other policies and agreements underpin the ABC’s focus to provide a comprehensive and inclusive service, achieved by a workforce that reflects the diversity of all Australians. The challenge for the ABC is to engage audiences with programs and content more relevant and appealing to a broader range of community needs and interests, supported by skilled and diverse employees. A major organisational restructure took place in 2000 with core output divisions of Radio, Television and New Media services, supported by the cross-media focus of ABC Development, News and Current Affairs, Production Resources and Content Rights Management. Business support functions operate on a Corporation-wide basis: ABC Corporate; Funding Finance and Support Services; Human Resources (HR) and Technology and Distribution. Significant progress was achieved within the Human Resources Division with the implementation of the ABC Employment Agreement 2000–2002 delivering wide-ranging changes to structures and conditions for staff and the introduction of the ABC Senior Employment Agreement 2001, effective 1 January 2001. The Human Resources Division has refocused its service delivery in the states to provide better 5 Overview and higher level services to managers and staff across the ABC, implemented a new performance management system, developed a new integrated rostering and payroll system and became a Registered Training Organisation. The new Human Resources Director implemented a structure providing focused services under new functional groups. The Equity and Diversity Unit, within the HR Division, has the responsibility to develop and implement the ABC’s Equity and Diversity Management Plan. The current plan, underpinned by a workplace diversity focus, covers the period 1998–2002 and includes background, principles, objectives and detailed strategies outlined

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