We acknowledge and respect Aboriginal peoples as the state’s First Peoples and nations. We recognise Aboriginal peoples as Traditional Owners, who live in lands and waters in South Australia.
Artist: Tony Wilson
There are three types of colour, but all represent an abstract geography of South Australia.
The ripples represent the outward reach we have across the state.
The circles represent the different roles we have, as both individuals and as a group, to deliver services to the people living in SA.
The layers are symbolic of the three main roles of AGD:
- making sure that laws and the justice system are fair
- protecting South Australians and their rights
- providing services to support people, business and industry.
The top layer represents the people of SA.
Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan
July 2019 - June 2021
The Attorney-General’s Department acknowledges and respects Aboriginal peoples as the state’s First Peoples and nations, and recognises Aboriginal peoples as Traditional Owners and occupants of lands and waters in South Australia.
We recognise:
- the spiritual, social, cultural and economic practices of Aboriginal people come from their connection to traditional lands and waters
- maintaining cultural and heritage beliefs, languages and laws are of ongoing importance to Aboriginal peoples today
- Aboriginal peoples have made and continue to make a unique and irreplaceable contribution to South Australia.
We acknowledge Aboriginal peoples have endured past injustice and dispossession of their traditional lands and waters and the effects of such injustice and dispossession are still felt today.
Note - In South Australia, Aboriginal is used to describe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Attorney-General’s Department has a strong history of recognising the important role government justice agencies can play in promoting reconciliation and supporting Aboriginal economic participation. Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) aims to highlight the various actions we will continue to take to strengthen our commitment in these areas.
Through our RAP, we will ensure the Attorney-General’s Department is an inclusive and culturally safe place for Aboriginal people to work and access services. This will be reflected in the way we communicate and engage with Aboriginal people, and the way we celebrate and promote Aboriginal culture.
As a department we have made great progress in increasing our number of Aboriginal employees and we hope by implementing the measures in this RAP, this will continue. We also have a number of business units that provide a range of diverse services to the South Australian Aboriginal community. The RAP will ensure as a department we are proactive in our efforts to ensure these services are delivered in a culturally inclusive way.
I encourage all staff to familiarise themselves with this plan, and to embrace opportunities to be part of the reconciliation process.
Caroline Mealor
Chief Executive
Attorney-General’s Department
On behalf of Reconciliation Australia, I am delighted to see the South Australian Attorney-General’s Department continue its reconciliation journey and to formally endorse its third Innovate RAP.
Through the development of an Innovate RAP, the Attorney-General’s Department continues to play an important part in a community of over 1,000 dedicated corporate, government, and not-for-profit organisations that have formally committed to reconciliation through the RAP program since its inception in 2006. RAP organisations across Australia are turning good intentions into positive actions, helping to build higher trust, lower prejudice, and increase pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Reconciliation is no one single issue or agenda. Based on international research and benchmarking, Reconciliation Australia, defines and measures reconciliation through five critical dimensions: race relations; equality and equity; institutional integrity; unity; and historical acceptance. All sections of the community—governments, civil society, the private sector, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities—have a role to play to progress these dimensions.
The RAP program provides a framework for organisations to advance reconciliation within their spheres of influence. This Innovate RAP provides the Attorney-General’s Department with the key steps to establish its own unique approach to reconciliation. Through implementing an Innovate RAP, the department will strengthen its approach to driving reconciliation through its business activities, services and programs, and develop mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders.
We wish the Attorney-General’s Department well as it embeds and expands its own unique approach to reconciliation. We encourage the department to embrace this journey with open hearts and minds, to grow from the challenges, and to build on its successes. As the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation reminded the nation in its final report:
“Reconciliation is hard work—it’s a long, winding and corrugated road, not a broad, paved highway. Determination and effort at all levels of government and in all sections of the community will be essential to make reconciliation a reality.”
On behalf of Reconciliation Australia, I commend the Attorney-General’s Department on its third RAP, and look forward to following its ongoing reconciliation journey.
Karen Mundine
Chief Executive Officer
Reconciliation Australia
The Attorney-General’s Department acknowledges the unacceptable over-representation of Aboriginal people as victims and offenders in the criminal justice system and is committed to working with Aboriginal people to overcome disadvantage in law and justice.
Our vision for reconciliation is to work with Aboriginal people to promote healing and to build an inclusive, safe and fair South Australia for all.
With its head office located in Adelaide, the Attorney-General’s Department provides a broad range of legal, policy and other services across South Australia. There are approximately 1,970 staff employed in the department, 34 of whom identify as Aboriginal.
The Attorney-General’s Department promotes justice by protecting the rights of all South Australians, holding people to account according to the law, improving safety, and contributing to an efficient and fair justice system.
With a focus on prevention, the Attorney-General’s Department promotes fair, timely and easy access to justice through the provision of legal, civil, prosecutorial and legislative services, as well as specialist policy advice.
The Attorney-General’s Department also fosters community safety and wellbeing by advocating for and protecting the rights of individuals, in particular, the most vulnerable in the community, and promoting cultural diversity and equality. This includes working with the community and businesses to protect people’s rights and promoting a fair and safe community.
The Attorney-General’s Department works in a number of areas that are particularly relevant to Aboriginal South Australians including:
- our commitment to increasing the number of Aboriginal staff employed in the department to 4% of our overall workforce
- providing work experience opportunities to Aboriginal students
- working with Traditional Owners and land users to determine native title rights
- building future leaders through development programs such as the Aboriginal Power Cup
- working to address over-representation of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system
- supporting a fair marketplace through consumer awareness and complaints handling, including by producing education material in Aboriginal languages
- working to address discrimination.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan
Building strong relationships with Aboriginal communities and organisations is critical if the Attorney-General’s Department is to succeed in delivering many of the functions the department is responsible for, including negotiating native title, advocating and protecting rights, consumer awareness and the development of laws and policies.
Key partnerships the Attorney-General’s Department has, and is committed to strengthening, include:
- The Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement, which is South Australia’s dedicated Aboriginal legal service
- The Narungga Nation Aboriginal Corporation through implementation of the Buthera Agreement
- The Port Adelaide Football Club in its delivery of the Adelaide Power Cup and other programs aimed at promoting increased awareness of Aboriginal culture.
Action 1: RAP Committee actively monitors RAP development and implementation
Responsibility
Executive Director, Policy and Community
Target
Review the Terms of Reference for the RAP Committee.
Complete in June annually
Ensure there are at least four Aboriginal representatives on the RAP Committee.
Complete in June annually
RAP Committee continues to meet at least four times per year.
Complete in June annually
Appoint an internal RAP Champion from senior management.
Complete in June annually
Oversee the development, endorsement and launch of this RAP.
Completed in July 2019.
Action 2: Engage proactively to develop new and strengthened relationships with Aboriginal individuals, communities and organisations
Responsibility
Executive Director, Policy and Community
Target
Develop and implement an engagement plan to work with Aboriginal stakeholders.
Complete in June 2020
Continue partnership with the Port Adelaide Football Club Power Community Ltd to support the Aboriginal Power Cup.
Complete in June annually
Identify and communicate with Aboriginal stakeholders on policy priorities as required (e.g. the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement, the South Australian Aboriginal Advisory Council, and the Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement).
Complete in June annually
Provide training opportunities for AGD staff to develop an understanding of the cultural protocols of Aboriginal communities.
Complete in June annually
Meet with a minimum of two local Aboriginal organisations to develop guiding principles for future engagement.
Complete in June annually
Establish a minimum of two partnerships to facilitate two-way learning between justice agencies and Aboriginal communities and / or organisations relevant to our sphere of influence.
Complete in June annually
Action 3: Improve AGD communication with Aboriginal communities
Responsibility
Commissioner for Consumer and Business Services and Chief Recovery Officer
Target
Produce material in the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara languages to increase consumer protection for Aboriginal people and provide information on fine payment plans and early repayment processes.
Completed in December 2019
Action 4: Participate in the South Australian Government Jawun secondment program
Responsibility
Director, Human Resources
Target
Provide at least one secondment candidate of ASO6 of above to participate in the Jawun secondment program.
Complete in June annually
Action 5: Implement the Buthera Agreement in partnership with the Narungga Nation Aboriginal Corporation (NNAC)
Responsibility
Executive Director, Policy and Community
Target
Provide de-identified crime and justice data to NNAC to support joint policy and program planning and decision-making.
Complete in July 2020
Identify strategies to support Narungga people to access employment in the justice sector.
Complete in July 2020
Waive fees for Aboriginal people to change their current name registered with Births, Deaths and Marriages to their traditional name.
Complete in July 2020
Work with NNAC to ensure the details and constitutions of Narungga associations are up to date.
Complete in July 2020
Provide NNAC with copies of records held in the state archives that are not currently held by Narungga.
Complete in July 2020
Work with NNAC to implement strategies for eligible individuals to settle outstanding fines where usual payment options are not a viable option.
Complete in July 2020
Action 6: Through the application of the South Australian Code of Ethics, promote diversity, positive race relations and anti-discrimination
Responsibility
Director, Human Resources
Target
Ensure all staff are aware of their obligations under the South Australian Code of Ethics, including the standards relating to professional and respectful behaviour.
Complete in July 2020
Act to address instances of suspected misconduct, including where it relates to racism or discrimination.
Complete in July 2020
Engage with Aboriginal staff to identify and address instances of racism or discrimination.
Complete in July 2020
Educate senior leaders on the effects of racism.
Complete in July 2020.
Action 7: Ensure there is a high level of respect and support for the RAP throughout AGD and senior staff are accountable for the progress of the RAP
Responsibility
Executive Director, Policy and Community
Target
Engage senior staff in the delivery of RAP actions by delivering quarterly reports to the Executive Management Group.
Complete in January, April, July and October annually
Develop and implement a strategy to communicate the RAP to all internal and external stakeholders.
Complete in December 2019
Promote RAP activity and reconciliation within AGD.
Complete in January and July annually
Action 8: Celebrate National Reconciliation Week (NRW) to strengthen and maintain relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal staff
Responsibility
Executive Director, Policy and Community
Target
Circulate Reconciliation Australia’s NRW resources and reconciliation materials to all staff.
Complete in May annually
All business units to organise or participate in internal NRW events.
Complete in May annually
Maintain a department-wide NRW calendar of events to be promoted on the AGD intranet, in conjunction with whole of government practices.
Complete in May annually
Contribute to the whole of government NRW calendar of events coordinated by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
Complete in May annually
All business units to register their events on Reconciliation Australia’s NRW website.
Complete in May annually
Chief Executive to communicate to all staff to encourage participation in at least one NRW event.
Complete in May annually
Provide business unit heads and Aboriginal staff with a reminder regarding options for Aboriginal staff to access leave entitlements to participate in cultural events including local NRW events.
Complete in May annually
RAP Committee to participate in at least one external NRW event.
Complete in May annually
Respect for Aboriginal peoples and cultures can be reflected in many ways.
Respect is about publicly acknowledging Aboriginal peoples as the original inhabitants of Australia, and recognising Aboriginal peoples continue to have a spiritual relationship with the land and waters. It is also about acknowledging past injustices and how these continue to have an impact on Aboriginal peoples and communities today.
Respect will be measured by the way in which we recognise and celebrate the invaluable contribution Aboriginal South Australians have made to this state. It is about how we engage with Aboriginal peoples, communities and organisations to inform our work, and how we ensure our workplace is a culturally sensitive and safe place for the department’s Aboriginal employees.
Demonstrating respect in these ways will ensure the Attorney-General’s Department’s approach to reconciliation is genuine and meaningful. It will also ensure reconciliation is embedded into the core business of the department and promoted as everyone’s responsibility.
Action 9: Engage employees in Aboriginal cultural awareness training to increase knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal cultures, histories and achievements
Responsibility
Director, Human Resources
Target
Conduct a review of AGD’s cultural learning needs.
Complete in June 2020
Develop and implement an Aboriginal cultural awareness training strategy for AGD staff.
Complete in June annually
Engage an Aboriginal provider to deliver face to face cultural awareness training.
Complete in June annually
Ensure a minimum of 10 AGD business units participate in face to face cultural awareness training.
Complete in June annually
All RAP Committee members undertake cultural awareness training.
Complete in June annually
All senior executives undertake cultural awareness training.
Complete in June annually
Action 10: Demonstrate respect to Aboriginal peoples and communities by embedding cultural protocols as part of the way AGD functions
Responsibility
Executive Director, Policy and Community
Target
Maintain a cultural protocol document for Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country which has information about all South Australian Aboriginal nations and their boundaries.
Complete in June annually
Maintain and review a list of key contacts for organising a Welcome to Country.
Complete in June annually
Invite a local Traditional Owner to provide a Welcome to Country at all significant events, including NRW and NAIDOC Week events.
Complete in May and July annually
Business Unit Heads to provide an Acknowledgement of Country at all other events and meetings.
Complete in June annually
Update our meeting agenda templates to include an Acknowledgement of Country.
Complete in June annually
Action 11: Create a work environment that promotes and celebrates Aboriginal cultures
Responsibility
Executive Director, Policy and Community
Target
Install at least six Aboriginal artworks in prominent locations in AGD offices and customer service centres.
Complete in June 2020
Honour Aboriginal people or places through naming meeting rooms in AGD offices, in consultation with Aboriginal Elders.
Complete in June 2020
Action 12: Celebrate NAIDOC Week and provide opportunities for all staff to engage with Aboriginal cultures and communities during NAIDOC Week
Responsibility
Executive Director, Policy and Community and Director, Human Resources
Target
Hold at least one NAIDOC Week event.
Complete in July annually
Provide business unit heads and Aboriginal staff with a reminder regarding options for Aboriginal staff to access leave entitlements to participate in cultural events including local NAIDOC Week events.
Complete in July annually
Chief Executive to communicate to all staff to encourage participation in NAIDOC Week events.
Complete in July annually
RAP Committee to participate in at least one external NAIDOC Week event.
Complete in July annually
Contribute to the whole of government NAIDOC calendar of events coordinated by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
Complete in July annually
Nominate an Aboriginal staff member or stakeholder for the annual Premier’s NAIDOC Award in recognition of their service to the South Australian justice sector.
Complete in July annually
The Attorney-General’s Department is committed to building future Aboriginal leaders, to delivering culturally appropriate services to Aboriginal people, and to strengthening the relationship and trust between Aboriginal peoples and the South Australian justice sector.
The department’s commitment to extending opportunities to Aboriginal people is highlighted by its focus on increasing Aboriginal employment. These employment targets are made meaningful through the department’s commitment to investing in providing ongoing employment to Aboriginal employees, and over time, opportunities for Aboriginal employees to progress their career into more senior roles.
By providing opportunities for non-Aboriginal staff to participate in cultural competency training and other cultural recognition events, it serves to ensure the department’s whole workforce is culturally aware and able to act positively and proactively to embed our commitment to reconciliation as part of the department’s core business.
Action 13: Implement the Aboriginal Retention and Employment Strategy (ARES) to employ and retain Aboriginal employees within AGD
Responsibility
Director, Human Resources
Target
Recruit an Aboriginal Engagement Consultant.
Complete in June annually
Increase the number of Aboriginal people employed in AGD to 4% by 2020 including 2% at the executive level.
Complete in December 2020
Review ARES, including the professional development opportunities available to Aboriginal staff, by engaging with existing Aboriginal staff.
Complete in June annually
Provide reports to the Executive Management Group on progress of ARES actions.
Complete in January, April, July and October annually
Review applicants on the Aboriginal Employment Register for all suitable vacancies before they are advertised externally.
Complete in June annually
Promote and advertise relevant job vacancies in Aboriginal media including the Aboriginal Way, the Koori Mail and the Turkindi Network.
Complete in June annually
Actively promote AGD as an employer of choice at community events / training expos.
Complete in June annually
Action 14: Support Aboriginal Business Procurement
Responsibility
Director, Strategic Planning and Business Operations
Target
Develop commercial relationships with Aboriginal businesses.
Complete in June annually
Integrate the Aboriginal economic participation objectives of the Industry Participation Policy into existing AGD processes and practices in line with whole of government arrangements.
Complete in June annually
Business Unit Heads to search Aboriginal Business Connect (aboriginalbusinessconnect.com.au) for suitable Aboriginal owned businesses for all procurement opportunities valued up to $220,000.
Complete in June annually
For procurement valued greater than $220,000, engage with the Office of the Industry Advocate to determine opportunities for Aboriginal engagement.
Complete in June annually
Establish AGD’s baseline of procurement to Aboriginal owned business, and set a procurement target.
Complete in June annually
Promote Aboriginal owned businesses to AGD Business Unit Heads via the AGD intranet.
Complete in June annually
While having a plan to promote and advance reconciliation is important, its success can only be achieved through a focus on delivery and implementation.
The Attorney-General’s Department will be accountable for delivering the measures detailed in this RAP and reporting internally and externally on progress toward achieving its targets.
Implementation of this RAP will embed reconciliation into the core business of the department. It will be overseen by the senior executives, but will be the responsibility of all employees.
Where successfully implemented, this RAP will not only drive reconciliation, it will be an effective tool to improve justice outcomes for Aboriginal South Australians.
Action 15: Provide appropriate support for effective implementation of RAP commitments.
Responsibility
Executive Director, Policy and Community
Target
Define resource needs for RAP implementation.
Complete in June annually
Engage AGD executive and other staff in the delivery of RAP commitments.
Complete in June annually
Define and maintain appropriate systems to track, measure and report on RAP commitments.
Complete in June annually
Action 16: Report RAP achievements, challenges and learnings internally and externally
Responsibility
Executive Director, Policy and Community
Target
Complete and submit the RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire to Reconciliation Australia.
Complete in September annually
Investigate participation in Reconciliation Australia’s RAP Barometer.
Complete in May 2020
Publicly report on RAP achievements, challenges and learnings.
Complete in June annually
Communicate update on RAP progress to all staff via the AGD intranet.
Complete in June annually
Contribute to the whole of government Reconciliation Report coordinated by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
Complete in June annually
At least one senior staff member to participate on the whole of government Reconciliation Network.
Complete in June annually
Action 17: Review, refresh and update RAP
Responsibility
Executive Director, Policy and Community
Target
Liaise with Reconciliation Australia to develop a new stretch RAP based on learnings, challenges and achievements.
Complete in February 2021
Send draft RAP to Reconciliation Australia for feedback.
Complete in February 2021
Submit draft RAP to Reconciliation Australia for formal endorsement.
Complete in May 2021
Action 18: Regular updates to Executive Management Group on progress
Responsibility
Executive Director, Policy and Community
Target
Executive Management Group to receive regular briefings from the AGD Aboriginal Engagement Consultant on RAP progress, reconciliation outcomes, and proposals to further promote Aboriginal cultural recognition and celebration within AGD.
Complete in January, April, July and October annually
