EQUITY AND DIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013–14 ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2013–14 Equal Employment Opportunity Report to the Minister for Communications Published by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation 2014 ISSN 1839-3292 For information about this report, please contact: Manager Diversity ABC People Australian Broadcasting Corporation GPO Box 9994 Sydney 2001 Being inclusive Being audience-focused Being accessible to audiences Image this page: The Wall of Hands display, National Reconciliation Week, ABC Ultimo, NSW New South Wales – Ultimo ABC Ultimo Centre 700 Harris Street Ultimo NSW 2007 GPO Box 9994 Sydney NSW 2001 Tel. +61 2 8333 1500 abc.net.au 21 November 2014 The Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP Minister for Communications Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Dear Minister, ABC Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2013–14 In accordance with section 9 of the Equal Employment Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987, I am pleased to submit the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Equity and Diversity Annual Report 2013–14 covering the period 1 September 2013 to 31 August 2014 for presentation to the Parliament. Yours sincerely James Spigelman AC QC Chairman Contents 1 PLANNING AND REPORTING CONTEXT 2 2 ABOUT THE ABC EQUITY AND DIVERSITY PROGRAM 3 3 LEADERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY 5 4 COMMUNICATION AND CONSULTATION 6 5 PERFORMANCE 7 Gender 8 Indigenous 14 Cultural and Linguistic Diversity 22 Disability 27 Workplace Culture and Flexibility 32 6 OBJECTIVES AND EVALUATION 35 1 Planning and reporting context The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is This report is made under the provisions of s.9(2) of Australia’s primary national broadcaster, established the Equal Employment Opportunity (Commonwealth as a statutory corporation under the Australian Authorities) Act 1987. The reporting period covers Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 (the ABC Act). 1 September 2013 to 31 August 2014. The ABC Act, which includes the ABC Charter, sets In line with developments over time, the expression out the functions and duties of the Corporation. ‘equity and diversity’ is used in preference to As a Commonwealth authority employer, the ABC ‘equal employment opportunity’, in regard to many is bound by the provisions of the Equal Employment references throughout the report, as it reflects a Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) Act broader coverage of related objectives and strategies. 1987, the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, the Sex For the purpose of the Equal Employment Discrimination Act 1984, the Australian Human Rights Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987, Commission Act 1986, the Disability Discrimination this report articulates the ABC’s equal employment Act 1992, the Age Discrimination Act 2004 and the opportunity (EEO) program as realised through its Fair Work Act 2009. equity and diversity strategies, which are set out The Equal Employment Opportunity (Commonwealth in the ABC Equity and Diversity Plan 2012–15 and Authorities) Act 1987 (the EEO Act) requires the ABC the ABC Reconciliation Action Plan 2013–2015. to promote equal opportunity in employment for It demonstrates that the Corporation’s EEO program women and designated groups, which are Aboriginal is on track. and Torres Strait Islander people, people from a Non-English Speaking Background (NESB) and people with disabilities. 1 The ABC’s Purpose is to fulfil its functions as set out in the ABC Act, particularly the ABC Charter. The ABC’s Vision is to provide high quality content and services that will ensure the ABC is valued as Australia’s most trusted and creative media organisation. Our Values The ABC is a truly independent media organisation for all Australians. Our values are the foundation of how we work. INTEGRITY—We act with trustworthiness, honesty and fairness. We deliver on our commitments and are accountable. RESPECT—We treat our audiences and each other with consideration and dignity. We embrace diversity. COLLEGIALITY—We work together willingly. We cooperate and share in the ABC’s challenges and successes. INNOVATION—We foster creativity and distinctiveness. We encourage new thinking and strive to achieve quality in all that we do. 2 AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION EQUITY AND DIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT 2013–14 About the ABC Equity and Diversity Program The ABC is required 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.1 The ABC has developed and implemented plans as part of an overall program that aims to eliminate discrimination and promote equal opportunities for the diversity groups identified in the EEO Act. Two key elements of that program are the ABC Equity and Diversity Plan 2012–15 and the ABC Reconciliation Action Plan 2013–2015. These plans are both consistent with and inform corporate-wide strategies and objectives, including the objectives of the ABC Strategic Plan 2013–16. ABC Equity and Diversity Plan 2012–15 The ABC Equity and Diversity Plan 2012–15 covers the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2015. The Equity and Diversity Plan focuses on three key areas: Being Inclusive how the ABC embraces diversity in the workplace. The focus areas are leadership, 1 workplace culture,2 representation in the workforce and awareness. Being Audience Focused how the ABC delivers content which reflects diversity. The focus areas are representation across ABC platforms and community satisfaction. Being Audience Accessible how the ABC supports access to our products and services. The focus area is accessible services. ABC Reconciliation Action Plan 2013–2015 The ABC Reconciliation Action Plan 2013–2015 covers the period 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2015. The Reconciliation Action Plan focuses on four key areas: Cultural Understanding and Respect Employment Content Community Links ABC Strategic Plan 2013–16 The ABC Strategic Plan 2013–16 includes the measurement of performance against targets set in the ABC Reconciliation Action Plan and the ABC Equity and Diversity Plan available on the Corporation’s website (http://about.abc.net.au/how-the-abc-is-run/our-plans/). Each year, the Managing Director identifies the short-term priorities for the ABC Executive to focus on in order to achieve the longer-term goals in the ABC Strategic Plan 2013–16. In 2014, the priorities included achieving the 2% Indigenous employment target. 1. s.5, Equal Employment Opportunity (Commonwealth Authorities) Act 1987 About the ABC Equity and Diversity Program 3 The year in review In 2013–14, the ABC developed and implemented a new ABC Cultural Diversity tool. The tool consists of The ABC made some significant achievements in a range of content and strategy-focused resources relation to its equity and diversity program in 2013–14. related to cultural and linguistic diversity including demographic data and trends, research and articles, Most pleasing is the achievement of the target examples of relevant ABC content, recruitment and of 2% Indigenous employment. This milestone, employment resources, and Australian and overseas within an environment of funding and employment media diversity sites. constraint, was reached through ongoing leadership commitment and incremental and tailored strategies, Other content which celebrated or raised awareness monitored by frequent reporting of performance. of diversity issues included: The ABC Indigenous Employment Strategy • 612 ABC Brisbane recruited 36 volunteer 2013–15 came into effect on 1 January 2013 to Community Correspondents to share stories from increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander diverse communities. employment levels in a coordinated and strategic • In March 2014, the ABC broadcast the Sochi 2014 manner. The Strategy operates in parallel with Winter Paralympic Games. the Reconciliation Action Plan 2013–2015. The Indigenous Employment Strategy was a key RN’s Mongrel Nation series was awarded the to the ABC’s achievement of its Indigenous United Nations Association of Australia (UNAA) employment target. Media Award. A range of policies and initiatives continued to A 12-month trial of an innovative Indigenous language support the diversity areas of gender, cultural and news service in the Northern Territory was launched linguistic diversity, disability and workplace flexibility in July 2014. The service provides daily radio news and inclusion. Leadership and responsibility for equity bulletins in two Aboriginal languages, Warlpiri and and diversity were reflected across the ABC through Yolngu Matha. program sponsorship, tailored strategies and the expansion of dedicated groups and resources. The year ahead Positive workplace culture messages and initiatives The ABC will build on its Indigenous employment contributed to inclusive practices and support for representation. This will include establishing new a diverse workforce. Innovative efforts resulted in employment targets beyond the initial 2% objective. a range of new pipeline, recruitment and retention In 2014–15, the ABC will focus on maintaining a activities across diversity groups. varied approach to recruitment and supporting, developing and retaining Indigenous employees. The ABC was the 2013 WiT Employer of Choice Award winner, awarded by Women in Technology A priority for 2015 will be the implementation of Inc. For the second year in a row, the ABC won strategies aimed at expanding cultural and linguistic the Randstad Award, as Australia’s