2014-15 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 1 Our vision for reconciliation The Private Health Insurance Administration Council’s (PHIAC) vision for reconciliation is one of a united Australia where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, culture and peoples are respected and valued, and their interests as consumers of private health insurance are protected Our business PHIAC is the prudential regulator of Australia's private insurance industry. It is a statutory corporation of the Commonwealth. It was first established in 1989, under the National Health Act 1953. PHIAC’s statutory objectives are described in the Private Health Insurance Act 2007 (PHI Act). Section 264-5 instructs PHIAC, in performing its role, to “take all reasonable steps” to strike an “appropriate balance” between three objectives: a. fostering an efficient and competitive health insurance industry; b. protecting the interests of consumers; and c. ensuring the prudential safety of individual private health insurers. PHIAC’s central responsibility, therefore, is to protect consumers by ensuring that the private health insurance industry is competitive, efficient and prudentially sound. PHIAC is a small agency employing 30 staff, none of whom are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent. PHIAC is based in Canberra, but regulates private health insurers across all states and territories. In July 2015, PHIAC will cease to exist with its functions, assets and liabilities transferring to Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority and the Department of Health. Our RAP As a custodian of both public and consumer interests, PHIAC will promote reconciliation within our agency, the Australian private health insurance industry and industry stakeholders, by promoting awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and issues. This Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2014–2015 is based on three principles — relationships, respect and opportunities. This document builds on PHIAC’s previous Reconciliation Action Plans, first established in 2010. The actions in this RAP maintain and strengthen the reconciliation actions undertaken by and within PHIAC during the previous 4 years. Although a small agency, PHIAC has learnt that even small actions can make a difference to the understanding by PHIAC staff of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and current issues. This also extends to the support PHIAC can provide to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals through maintaining an intern program, procuring goods and services and ensuring employment opportunities are visible. 2 Relationships Relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is an important aspect of PHIAC’s approach to reconciliation because it is through relationships that change occurs. Relationships with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community groups enables PHIAC and PHIAC staff to maintain a connection to the original inhabitants of Australia. Action Responsibility Timeline Target 1. Maintain a Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group (RAPWG) to monitor RAP development and oversee implementation Director Risk Management and Corporate Services By 30 November 2014 2. Maintain networks with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups within the Canberra region Director Information and Statistics 3. Invite Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander speakers to host PHIAC staff discussions about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and other issues RAPWG 4. Keep staff informed about the RAP and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues, cultures and histories RAPWG 5. Celebrate NRW by providing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and other employees to build relationships. RAPWG By end June 2015 By March 2015 Quarterly following each RAPWG meeting By end June 2015 Organise quarterly RAP meetings Monitor and report on progress against the RAP Prepare the RAP 2014-2015 budget and obtain Management approval for it. Maintain a relationship with Reconciliation Australia (RA). Build and maintain a relationship with members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups. Use established relationships with members of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community groups, as a basis for networking, providing opportunities and obtaining support for our RAP. Invite Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to attend or host RAP events. Maintain a list of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander speakers. Provide a brief on the RAPWG quarterly meetings at staff meetings. Run presentations about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history Organise at least one internal event each year Encourage employees to attend community events. 3 Respect Respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, land, histories is important to PHIAC and PHIAC staff so that the connection between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander remains strong and benefits all citizens. Action Responsibility Timeline Target 1. Engage employees in understanding the protocols around Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country ceremonies to ensure there is shared meaning behind the ceremonies. Director Risk Management and Corporate Services By end June 2015 2. Recognise and celebrate national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander days of significance, including NAIDOC Week RAPWG By end June 2015 3. Engage employees in learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues, cultures and histories Admin Support Officer Records Mgt Officer Director Information and Statistics By end June 2015 Maintain and distribute protocols for Acknowledgment and “Welcome to Country” EMC and Directors give Acknowledgment to Country at significant meetings and events Identify at least one significant event for which a Welcome to Country from a Traditional Owner will be included. Celebrate/recognise at least 2 national days of significance. Review HR policies and procedures to ensure there are no barriers to staff participating in NAIDOC Week. Provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees to participate in local NAIDOC Week events. Encourage all staff to participate in PHIAC cultural awareness training Purchase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and information resources to be held in PHIAC’s library. Including: o Koori Times, o Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander films and documentaries, o Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history books 4 Opportunities PHIAC will identify and act on, opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, organisations and communities to overcome the inherent barriers facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Action Responsibility Timeline Target 1. Actively work towards employing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Director Risk Management and Corporate Services Director Information and Statistics By the end March 2015 Offer a 5 week Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student internship. Ensure that PHIAC’s vacant positions are promoted to members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community through the Koori Times newspaper Circulate all positions vacant to local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups Appropriately Purchase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork Conduct launch of artwork and invite artist to present Identify ways to support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community businesses or organisations through procurement of goods and services required by PHIAC. Draft and send a letter to all registered Australian private health insurers, PHA (AHIA), HIRMAA, AHSA, CHF and other relevant stakeholders encouraging them to follow PHIAC’s lead in establishing and maintaining a RAP. 2. Identify opportunities to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses CEO Artwork – Dec 14 Director Risk Management and Corporate Services Launch – Feb 15 RAPWG 3. Raise awareness about PHIAC’s RAP to private health insurance industry stakeholders Legal Officer April 2015 5 Tracking progress and reporting Action Responsibility Timeline Target 1. Report achievements, challenges and Director Risk learnings to Reconciliation Australia for Management and inclusion in the annual Impact Corporate Services Measurement Report. June 2015 Complete and submit the RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire to Reconciliation Australia annually 2. Include performance of RAP activities in the Annual Report Director Risk Management and Corporate Services June 2015 Included in the PHIAC 2014-15 Annual Report 3. Report at staff meetings of performance of RAP activities Industry Analyst Quarterly following each RAPWG meeting Provide an update on the performance of the RAP at staff meetings Contact Details Artwork Miles Pearson Director Risk Management and Corporate Services Private Health Insurance Administration Council Artist: Greg Joseph (with some contribution from PHIAC staff) Yidinji Nation PO Box 4549 Kingston ACT 2604 Level 2, 10-12 Brisbane Ave Barton ACT 2600 Materials: Water paint on canvas Title: Healing Serpents Phone: Mobile: Fax: Email: 02 6215 7907 0437 280 982 02 6215 7977 [email protected] PHIAC’s RAP Working Group - RAPWG Shaun Gath - CEO Miles Pearson - Director Risk Management and Corporate Services Paul Collins - Director Information and Statistics Nana Ama Adjei – Records Mgt Officer Lynn Kenyon – Admin Support Officer Louise Dorrian – Legal Officer Stuart Blackford – Industry Analyst 6
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