Westpac Group has for the first time included within its 2015 Annual Reporting Suite a progress report on its Reconciliation Action Plan, reflecting actions undertaken during the year to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customers, people and communities to prosper and grow.
According to Westpac Group Head of Sustainability Siobhan Toohill, since launching the Group's third Reconciliation Action Plan in August 2014, momentum had been building across many areas of the Group towards achieving its ambitious commitments.
"We have set high benchmarks in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, in the areas we believe we can make the greatest contribution to genuine and sustainable change," Ms Toohill said.
"Throughout the year, we have received valuable support and guidance from our Westpac Indigenous Advisory Committee, established to advise, monitor and evaluate our work. The feedback from this committee has helped ensure we remain focused on the initiatives that will create the greatest value for Indigenous Australians.
"We are delighted with the progress made during the year in each of our key areas of focus . We also know we have a long way to go, and will continue to remain focused on delivering against our ambitious targets," she said.
2015 Reconciliation Action Plan progress highlights
Meaningful careers
- An additional 150 Indigenous Australians were recruited across Westpac, in line with our commitment to recruit 500 additional Indigenous Australians by 2017
- 34 Indigenous Australian university students were placed in internships throughout Westpac in partnership with the CareerTrackers Indigenous Internship program, in line with our commitment to recruit at least 400 interns over the decade to 2024
- Commenced design of a retention reporting framework and career retention program
Financial inclusion
- $1.2 million supply chain spend directed towards Indigenous Australian businesses
- 1,239 employment pathways were created for Indigenous Australians through collaborative partnerships
- Made progress in exploring new product and services to better meet the needs of Indigenous Australians
Strong and thriving communities
- 391 weeks' worth of time contributed to Indigenous community organisations by Westpac Group employees through Jawun Indigenous Corporate partnerships
- Total contribution to Jawun secondments by Westpac Group employees over 15 years at 87 work years
- $721,781 in financial grants made to community organisations supporting Indigenous Australians
Recognition and advocacy
" 1,442 employees completed Indigenous Cultural Awareness training
" Around 750 branches installed permanent acknowledgement signs which acknowledge traditional owners