The ABC has released the Independent Review into Systems and Processes in Support of Staff who Experience Racism and announced the next steps to improve those processes.
The Independent Review was announced by ABC managing director David Anderson (above) in May 2023 and is informed by interviews with 120 current and former ABC staff.
Led by Indigenous lawyer Dr Terri Janke, a Wuthathi, Yadhaighana and Meriam woman, the Listen Loudly, Act Strongly review has made 15 recommendations to improve the ABC’s systems and processes.
ABC MD issues apology to staff who experienced racism
Anderson has issued an apology to any current or former employee who has experienced racism and has committed the ABC to accept in principle all 15 recommendations. Anderson also announced former Australian Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan has been engaged to continue this work.
Anderson told staff the testimonies provided to Dr Janke were disturbing and the details of racist behaviour were unacceptable to the ABC.
“On behalf of everyone at the ABC, I am sorry for any and all racist behaviour and past harms experienced by our Indigenous and CALD employees, either currently or formerly employed,” Anderson told staff.
“We all need to do better for our colleagues on our commitment to zero tolerance for racism in our workplace.
“We all need to do better for our colleagues by preventing or acting on behaviour that seeks to discriminate against, bully or demean them.
“We all need to do better for our colleagues by remaining vigilant against racism or discrimination of any kind in our workplace.”
The Review is available here and the 15 recommendations and the ABC’s response here. The ABC has also developed a list of Action Items, available here.
The ABC will launch an internal campaign to raise awareness of racism and discrimination and to make it easier for staff to report instances of racism and discrimination. In addition to current anti-bullying and harassment training, and inclusion training, the ABC will begin specific anti-racism training with staff.
The ABC has also created a new role to lead this work, director First Nations strategy, to join the ABC’s leadership team reporting directly to the managing director, developing the plan to implement actions in response to the recommendations set out in the report.
The ABC’s current head of Indigenous, Diversity and Inclusion Kelly Williams has been asked to step into this role until a new managing director can initiate a recruitment process. However, the role will be ongoing.
Dan Bouchier
Chair of the ABC Bonner Committee Dan Bouchier said: “Thank you to David Anderson for the courage to listen deeply and launch this review, and releasing Listen Loudly, Act Strongly today, and thanks to David and the board for committing to implementing all recommendations.
“Dr Terri Janke and her team took great care in conducting this review – thank you.
“We are especially grateful to everyone who bravely shared their experiences, as well as what they saw as solutions to make the ABC stronger.
“I’m inspired to see Kelly Williams as the inaugural director First Nations Strategy – and fully support her. We all back Kelly in the important work ahead, as she continues to build on the significant change she has already accomplished.
“I asked David to call for this review because it was clear there were big challenges. This report is a turning point and seeks to strengthen and reform the ABC.
“It’s a line in the sand – we need to do better.
“The ABC’s First Nations and CALD staff need this to be acted on across the organisation, and the Australian people expect more from the ABC, to ensure it remains the important institution it is.
“This review exposes the depth of the problems. To achieve the crucial work of Listen Loudly, Act Strongly will require the entire ABC to work to embed meaningful change.”