On behalf of Reconciliation Australia, I congratulate the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on its formal commitment to reconciliation, as it implements its first Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
Formed around the pillars of relationships, respect, and opportunities, the RAP program provides organisations with a framework to contribute to the reconciliation movement.
As a regulatory body with a sphere of influence that covers both professional and civil aviation standards, CASA is well positioned to become the leading example for advancing reconciliation across its industry.
Through its involvement in the RAP program, CASA understands that reconciliation must be embedded into its daily work, not just an addition to it. This is done in a number of ways, including drawing on the lived experiences and influence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and stakeholders.
Specifically, CASA is building on the opportunities pillar by aiming to increase the visibility and representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees in their offices across Australia. This includes increasing overall First Nations staff representation as well as creating individual development plans for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees to take on senior level positions by the end of their Stretch RAP.
Additionally, CASA continues to build on its cultural recognition and learning framework to ensure its workforce drives reconciliation from a place of acceptance and understanding. At the conclusion of this Stretch RAP, it hopes to increase the number of staff who have undertaken cultural learning to 94%.
By placing First Nations people at the forefront of its reconciliation work, CASA has the potential to drive considerable reconciliation outcomes across its sphere of influence.
On behalf of Reconciliation Australia, I commend CASA on this Stretch RAP and look forward to following its ongoing reconciliation journey.