Reconciliation Australia congratulates Lendlease on its past successes and ongoing
commitment to reconciliation as it implements its second Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
In adopting an Elevate RAP, Lendlease joins an elite group of organisations that have
taken reconciliation beyond ‘business as usual’ and embedded it in the delivery of core
business practices and decision-making at the highest level.
Lendlease has been on this journey with Reconciliation Australia since 2011 and
has a strong track record of following through with its RAP commitments and
building meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
and communities. Great progress has been made across the key domains of
reconciliation—relationships, respect and opportunities.
Lendlease’s work with Traditional Owner groups to ensure Aboriginal heritage is
respected and protected and that physical artefacts are managed by the community
and repatriated according to the Elders’ directions, has built better relationships
between Lendlease and the Traditional Owners its business impacts. The participation
of over 2,500 employees in cultural awareness training and the provision of cultural
leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees has no doubt enhanced
cultural understanding and respect in the workplace. By having 60 CareerTrackers
interns working with Lendlease businesses since 2011, contributing to the mentoring
support of 4,500 students nationwide in the AIME program and being a founding
member of Supply Nation, Lendlease also has shown its commitment to generating
opportunities for Indigenous people. These achievements provide a solid foundation
for Lendlease to realise the goals of its Elevate RAP through deepened respect, true
partnerships and practical application.
Reconciliation Australia’s RAP program inspires social change in workplaces around
the country. RAP organisations such as Lendlease understand that by providing
sustainable opportunities in education, employment and business for Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander people, the benefits flow both ways.
Lendlease’s Elevate RAP signifies its continued and accelerated commitment to
meaningful and sustainable outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
and their communities. Raising the bar of its reconciliation ambitions sets a fine
example to others within its sphere of influence.
On behalf of Reconciliation Australia, I commend Lendlease on its Elevate RAP and
look forward to following its impressive reconciliation journey.
Justin Mohamed
CEO
Lendlease’s vision is to create the best places and in working to achieve that we must
learn, with deep respect, from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters
and recognise and value the fundamental place their culture, knowledge and history have
in making Australia the best and most equitable place it can be for all Australians.
This became much clearer to me after visiting the Garma Festival with the
Reconciliation Australia/Business Council of Australia group. It was, as people had
said, a huge privilege to be welcomed to the country of the Yolgnu people and a
new and very different learning experience. It opened my eyes to the real and highly
complex challenges we face in becoming a more reconciled nation where there are no
gaps in equality and opportunity, and the First People of this country are recognised
in the Australian Constitution.
Lendlease’s refreshed RAP clearly articulates the expectation we are setting for our
businesses to achieve our RAP goals. However, the organisation’s vision and commitment
can only be truly realised through the individuals in our workforce taking responsibility
and driving change, person to person.
I accept that responsibility with a new sense of obligation and have started the conversations
we all need to have, to drive policy engagement across the business community. We
will only make genuine progress if we step up and, with respect and collaboration,
support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities who are leading the design of
solutions that will create healthier, productive places and a better Australia.
Steve McCann
Group CEO and Managing Director
A MESSAGE FROM STEVE MCCANN,
GROUP CEO AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, LENDLEASE
A MESSAGE FROM JUSTIN MOHAMED,
CEO, RECONCILIATION AUSTRALIA
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