February 10, 2020
Alcoa commits to Reconciliation Action Plan
Alcoa Australia has launched its first Reconciliation Action Plan, pledging to use the nationally-recognised framework to step up its efforts to build meaningful outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the company.
Alcoa Australia President Michael Gollschewski said the company had worked collaboratively alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for more than half-a-century of bauxite mining, alumina refining and aluminium smelting in Australia. He said Alcoa now desired a more coordinated, deliberate and transparent approach that the Reconciliation Action Plan framework would help deliver.
“The Reconciliation Action Plan framework reflects our company’s values of integrity, excellence and care,” Mr Gollschewski said. “It also supports our commitment to have a supportive, diverse and inclusive culture, both within our workplaces and to foster that in the broader community.
“We will focus on education to raise knowledge, awareness and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures across our business and host communities.
“We will seek opportunities for economic participation by working with more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, providing employment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and help train and develop the next generation.
“And we will build on the relationships we have with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities to better understand their needs and aspiration.”
Reconciliation Action Plans are a nationally-recognised framework administered by not-for-profit agency Reconciliation Australia since 2006.
The tried, tested and proven framework has some set requirements but also leaves a degree of flexibility for organisations to determine what works best for them as well as local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The aim is to build a community of like-minded organisations and people who are contributing to reconciliation, diversity and inclusion through a consistent approach.
Reconciliation Australia Chief Executive Officer Karin Mundine congratulated Alcoa on joining more than 1,000 corporate, government and non-profit organisations that have formally committed to the reconciliation process.
“These organisations are turning good intentions into positive actions, helping build higher trust, lower prejudice, and increased pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures,” Ms Mundine said.
Alcoa’s Reconciliation Action Plan is available on the company website.
Media contact: Jane McGuire, jane.mcguire@alcoa.com or 0410 694 676