Empowering First Nations: Where to from here?

Why is the corporate sector becoming more vocal on Indigenous affairs?

Big brands are coming off the sidelines to wade into contentious social and political debates as part of a growing recognition that they have a role to play in how we want to develop as a nation. To a degree there is a common purpose, a common set of values and a common understanding between corporate Australia and the communities in which it operates.

Shifting customer expectations means that rather than being “no-go” zones, organisations are being rewarded for speaking out on social issues. These brands appeal to a wider customer base and enjoy better relationships with customers.

The Uluru Statement from the Heart played an integral role in inviting the corporate sector to speak out on First Nations issues. EY was quick to publicly support the Uluru Statement from the Heart in 2017 because it speaks to our purpose of Building a Better Working World. It also aligns very closely with our values as well as our existing commitments to support First Nations communities and reconciliation.

Since then, we’ve seen a cascade effect across the corporate sector. BHP, Rio Tinto, as well as law firms, financial institutions and not-for-profits have come out supporting the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

It’s not just clever marketing. Professionals in private employment make up a significant proportion of the workforce. Employers that live the values they espouse can attract, engage and retain the best employees.

Can the corporate sector really change First Nations disadvantage?

The corporate sector has a critical role to play. The corporate sector can help elevate the voice of First Nations peoples, particularly on some of the challenging issues and where the government is unable to properly respond.

The corporate sector can bring powerful interests together to unlock some of the seemingly intractable challenges within the community and encourage other sectors (i.e not-for-profits, government, etc.) to play a leading role and get involved too. It also sends a signal to government that the corporate sector is genuinely and respectfully backing First Nations leadership and voices.

The importance of an intelligent engagement by the corporate sector with First Nations communities cannot be overestimated, such as having the wisdom to realise that what the corporate sector thinks First Nations want may not always be what is important to those communities. First Nations peoples and communities need to lead the agenda in working out what’s important to them and the role the corporate sector can and can’t play in supporting those aspirations.

 Joe Hedger is the leader of EY’s Indigenous Sector Practice.

The views reflected in this article are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the global EY organisation or its member firms.