Who's raised the bar for First Nations allyship?

With the Voice to Parliament Referendum less than a week away, I want to shine a light on Australia’s most influential First Nations ally.

This remarkable Australian goes about their allyship quietly, without seeking recognition.

A woman who supports and amplifies the voices and ambitions of First Nations people, not for political gain, nor notoriety, but because she believes it’s the right thing to do.

She’s about impact and outcomes, not slaps on the back. She lets results do the talking.

Of course, I’m talking about Jennifer Westacott - the recently departed Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia.

With Westacott at the helm, the Business Council went from the comfortable cheap seats, to an influential and proactive ally. This was done without pomp and ceremony, rather with the business acumen and pragmatism that Westacott is famous for.

Her commitment that “no-one should be treated like a second-class citizen” sits behind her philosophy that Indigenous Australians must have the same choices, economic empowerment and opportunities as everyone else.

Under Westacott’s leadership, corporate Australia has become a major employer of Indigenous people – with member companies employing over 20,000 Indigenous Australians. This didn’t happen by accident. Explicit targets have shifted the corporate culture such that those without an Indigenous employment strategy are now outliers.

Efforts are ongoing to ensure Indigenous employment isn’t all traineeships-without-jobs or entry level positions with no career path. Indigenous Australia is now seen as a recruitment opportunity for permanent talent, and that view is here to stay.

Westacott also initiated the Raising the Bar program—corporate Australia’s response of the Federal Government’s Indigenous Procurement Policy. Under the initiative, large businesses partner with Indigenous businesses to grow supply chains.

Westacott astutely understands that relying on anecdotal evidence to validate progress in the Indigenous space isn’t acceptable in the long run. To have a lasting impact, the Business Council had to be measuring progress and outcomes. The introduction of their biennial Indigenous Engagement Survey has provided a longitudinal, measurable analysis of how corporate Australia is faring in its commitments. ?

In 2009, of 94 businesses, 21 said they had an Indigenous employment strategy. By 2018, this had tripled to 62. Nine companies had a Reconciliation Action Plan in 2009, and in a decade, this reached more than 50.

As with all good allies, Westacott has understood her responsibility to amplify Indigenous voices, not speak on their behalf. A network of Indigenous leaders supports the work of the Business Council and its members, creating a First People’s Voice in the business community.

This has established a critical networking opportunity for mentoring and developing Indigenous leaders within a cultural framework. These leaders are future CEOs and board directors who, until recently, were marginalised from achieving their potential.

It’s no surprise the Business Council supports a Voice to Parliament and recognition of Indigenous Australians in the Constitution. The Voice is about ensuring the views of Indigenous communities are heard. It’s what Westacott has breathed into the Australian corporate sector throughout her leadership.

Westacott has created real economic opportunities for Indigenous Australians, their families and communities. She believed she could make a difference - and she has.

Adam Bray Jason Mifsud Amelia Bitsis Wendy Black Russell Reid Eveanne Liddle Bran Black Prof. Deen Sanders OAM Business Council of Australia Jennifer Westacott AO Garnet Brennan James Copsey Naomi Mitchell