AUSTRALIA | Victorian Ombudsman presents second Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan

In its second Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (December 2022 – December 2024), the Victorian Ombudsman Office reflects on its ongoing commitment to reconciliation with the First Peoples of Australia.

The Ombudsman Office is committed to developing relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander state-wide and community-controlled organisations to guide future reconciliation initiatives. Specifically, this includes partnering with human rights and social justice focused Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, reaching out to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and encouraging them to use the Victorian Ombudsman‘s complaints and conciliation services.

Apart from the acknowledgement of Aboriginal people as the Traditional Custodians of the land throughout Victoria, the Action Plan contains the Ombudsman Office’s vision for reconciliation and a reflection of the first Reconciliation Action Plan adopted in 2017. With the second Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, the Victorian Ombudsman aims to engage with, learn from, and embed cultures and knowledges of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations in all aspects of its organisation. In order to carry out this endeavour, the organisation has formed a working group to develop and implement the Reconciliation Action Plan. The group is chaired by the Ombudsman and includes staff and external Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives. The aim of the working group is to advise on the planning, development and implementation of the Action Plan, to provide guidance and to plan community engagement in order to achieve reconciliation goals and outcomes.

„While the public’s awareness of the office is increasing, much more needs to be done to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples know how we can help them resolve their complaints with State and local government entities. Increasing that outreach, and seeking to ensure they have confidence in us to handle their complaint fairly, is a key plank in our plan.“, writes the Victorian Ombudsman, Deborah Glass OBE, in her introduction to the Action Plan.  

„An Innovate RAP (Ann.: Reconciliation Action Plan) is the time to strengthen and develop the connections that form the lifeblood of all RAP commitments. The RAP program’s framework of relationships, respect, and opportunities emphasises not only the importance of fostering consultation and collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities, but also empowering and enabling staff to contribute to this process, as well.“, highlights Karen Mundine, Chief Executive Officer of Reconciliation Australia.

With its Action Plan, the Victorian Ombudsman recognises that respectful, reciprocal relationships between the organisation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, organisations and individuals are foundational to a meaningful reconciliation journey.

To read the full Reconciliation Action Plan, kindly refer to the download section below. 

Source: The Office of the Victorian Ombudsman, Australia