CASA strives to embed reconciliation into our day-to-day business, to consider the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to identify ways in which we can stretch the integration of Indigenous culture into all we do. I am proud to be CASA's Indigenous Champion, to recognise that our actions are making positive change, and to share our Stretch RAP 2023 – 2026.
We align our Stretch RAP to the Commonwealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Strategy, reconciliation best practice, and CASA's People and Culture Strategy (2022 – 2027), ensuring our values and goals demonstrate respect for diversity in our workforce, support workplace inclusion, and extend on the learnings of our Reflect RAP (2015 – 2016) and Innovate RAPs (2017 – 2019 and 2021 – 2023).
Reconciliation is a continuous journey, and this RAP sets out a series of deliverables to meet the actions within Reconciliation Australia's framework and CASA’s vision of inclusion. These deliverables demonstrate CASA's commitment to encouraging and nurturing positive relationships, supporting reconciliation from a personal, team and corporate perspective, building a culturally capable workforce, and supporting our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. This RAP also includes actions, deliverables and initiatives where we have identified how we can uniquely integrate reconciliation into our business routines. One example is conducting surveillance events in Indigenous communities where our inspectors form working partnerships with Indigenous stakeholders and community leaders – sharing aviation-related information and meeting our corporate vision of safe skies for all, and responsibilities of ensuring compliance with aviation regulations.
Partnerships are a key aspect of stretching our understanding of reconciliation and the Indigenous perspective. Our internal consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees continues to strengthen, and our maturing external partnerships form part of our next growth stage. Surveillance activities conducted on Country in 2021 and 2022 provided an opportunity to work in partnership with Indigenous communities and community leaders. Our participation in and continued commitment to the Jawun secondment programs allows individuals to gain first-hand experience living in Indigenous communities while sharing their capabilities to promote empowerment. Our continued commitment to Supply Nation and inclusive procurement practices, as documented in our procurement guidelines, has extended our relationships with Indigenous providers. And the connections we have made through the procurement of Indigenous artwork provides permanent, daily reminders of our reconciliation journey. These initiatives and others have helped CASA to promote understanding, cooperation and positive business outcomes.
I would like to acknowledge and thank all CASA employees who actively assisted in the development of the RAP. I would particularly like to thank the RAP Working Group (RWG) and RWG Chair for their energy, drive and dedication in this process. I look forward to contributing to this collaborative effort as we all work together to implement the actions and achieve our aims for a culturally safe and capable CASA.
I encourage you to take time, engage with this plan, and consider how – through your personal commitment and professional contribution – you will participate in making national reconciliation a reality.