Promoting Reconciliation

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Promoting Reconciliation

Our joint Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) between PwC and PwC’s Indigenous Consulting (PIC) is in a way a manifestation of reconciliation itself.

"At PwC we encourage our people to think deeply about solutions to societal issues that are important to our clients, communities and nation. We are focused on reconciliation and continue our shared journey with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We create platforms for voice, promote truth telling and support economic empowerment for First Nations Australians. We will continue to help create positive social change and in doing so, reimagine the role of business in society."

Tom Seymour, PwC CEO Australia

Our RAP is focussed on increasing economic participation, deepening our firm's cultural fitness, and building trusting strategic relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Our Elevate RAP Progress Report 2019 outlines how we’re tracking against our Reconciliation Action Plan for the year between 1 March 2019 and 29 February 2020. We have many milestones to celebrate including:

PwC Australia doubled its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce in 2019
As of February 2019, PwC was on track to exceed our contestable spend target in FY20. Whilst this will be impacted by COVID-19 we’re working with our First Nations suppliers to mitigate disproportionate impacts to their businesses and identify new supply chains aligned to our COVID-19 response.
PwC was a principal sponsor and sent a 22-person delegation (including three members of our Executive Board) to the Garma Festival in August 2019. With support from Reconciliation Australia, PwC designed and co-facilitated an interactive session on how corporate Australia can actively take steps to enact the intent of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
PwC hosted an inaugural First Nations Networking Summit which brought together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees from PwC and PIC to increase engagement and accelerate our efforts to embed a First Nations Voice and truth-telling across the firm.
Entries for the 2019 MURRA Boost Initiative were so impressive that PwC decided to support two winners.
PwC hosted over 500 staff at exclusive pre-screenings of The Australian Dream, followed by facilitated discussions about race and identity, in our offices nationally.

Detailed progress against each of our commitments is outlined in our Elevate RAP Progress Report 2019. You can access our 2019 Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan here.

The PwC & Murra Boost Initiative

The PwC & Murra Boost Initiative is a partnership between PwC and the Murra Alumni of the Melbourne Business School, whereby we provide $30,000 in skills and expertise to support a winning Indigenous Business to support a specific issue that will allow for future growth.

BlackCard, a leading national cultural capability training provider, was one of two winners of the 2019 PwC & Murra Boost initiative, receiving skills development and expertise valued at $30,000.

“Working with PwC has created opportunities for us to scale and increase our impact both quickly and sustainably, developing our resilience as a business that has set us up so well for these unusual times under COVID. The mentoring and business development to ensure BlackCard was able to pivot our business model to a digital environment was of great value to the BlackCard, authenticity and skills of the PwC team was absolutely amazing. I have no doubt that these relationships will continue for even longer than the project itself,” said Mundanara Bayles, Co-Founder and Managing Director of BlackCard.

BlackCard’s approach is based on a cultural competency course developed by Lilla Watson and Mary Graham, Aboriginal Elders and Educators and long-time course developers and lecturers for the University of Queensland. The founders of the BlackCard have developed and taught core university subjects such as “Aboriginal Perspectives” and “Aboriginal Approaches to Knowledge” both at an undergraduate and post-graduate level since the 1970’s.

The demand for their knowledge and expertise as educators has grown beyond the university sector to the broader business and community sectors. This led the founders to develop the BlackCard. The BlackCard builds cultural competency to work effectively with members of the Aboriginal community. BlackCard’s approach requires strengthening ethical behaviour enabling all people to understand and undertake respectful relationships with each other using Aboriginal Terms of Reference.

The Boost Initiative, founded by PwC Australia and the MURRA Alumni, is designed to help strengthen business practices and build capacity within an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander organisation.

Working with PwC, BlackCard developed a strategy and implementation plan to translate the introductory model of their existing facilitator-led cultural competency training to a self-paced online course, allowing them to scale their offering and reach far more people.

Kakadu Tiny Tots is a wholly First Nations owned company that creates authentic Aboriginal clothing, accessories and artwork. Kakadu is one of two winners of the PwC & MURRA Boost Initiative in 2019, receiving skills development and expertise valued at $30,000.

“I truly love the Gheorja, Damien and Kylie PwC / Kakadu Team. The time that we have spent on my brand’s DNA has been remarkable. Pivoting to reflect and capture my customer segment is so exciting. I can’t wait to relaunch as KAKADU, the eco-friendly gift hamper site.” said owner Kylie-Lee Bradford.

The company was founded to provide Australia with quality Aboriginal-based children’s clothing, that showcase and acknowledge the talents of the Aboriginal people of Australia. All Kakadu designs are uniquely handcrafted and originate from First Nations communities in the Northern Territory.

Since establishing, Kylie-Lee has expanded the product range from baby clothing to wellness and food products that are recognised globally for their quality and authenticity.

The Boost Initiative, founded by PwC Australia and the MURRA Alumni, is designed to help strengthen business practices and build capacity within an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander business.

Working with PwC, Kakadu Tiny Tots has undergone a major strategic shift from focusing on products that attract domestic and international tourists, to a range of gift sets that authentically bring a bit of Kakadu to the rest of Australia and overseas.

Kakadu Tiny Tots has completed a brand refresh and is currently in the process of setting the strategic plan for growth over the next three years. The plan will improve strategic positioning, sharpen focus on key products that align with the company brand and strengthen internal operations to enable Kakadu to grow sustainably and give back to the Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory.

Marrawah Law, an Indigenous owned legal practice is the 2018 winner of the PwC & MURRA Boost Initiative, receiving skills and expertise valued at $30,000.

Marrawah Law is a multi-award winning legal practice formed in July 2018, Marrawah Law represents the combined strengths of three firms with over 75 years’ experience in the practice of law for government, corporate and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. Their expertise in the areas of native title and cultural heritage law are recognised nationally. The Firm is home to five lawyers and three administrative staff across two offices in Cairns and Brisbane.

"We are very excited to win this year’s PwC & MURRA Boost Initiative and look forward to working with PwC. It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to reach our goals of increasing market share and social media engagement", said Principal Solicitor Leah Cameron.

"On behalf of PwC, I would like to congratulate Leah Cameron at Marrawah Law for winning the PwC & MURRA Boost initiative. PwC and PwC’s Indigenous Consulting are thrilled to help grow and strengthen Marrawah Law business practices and contribute to their future success.” Kim Cheater, PwC National Reconciliation Governance Group Co-Chair.

Established in 2002, Naturecall Environmental is a one hundred percent Aboriginal owned business founded by Managing Director and Muruwari man, Steven Noy. Naturecall Environmental is committed to environmental sustainability, business growth of Indigenous owned companies and Aboriginal education and employment opportunities for Indigenous youth.

"Naturecall Environmental are thrilled to win this year’s PwC & MURRA Boost Initiative. Being given this opportunity to work with PwC will allow Naturecall to take our commitment to social responsibility and Indigenous engagement to the next level and this is something we are very excited about.” Steven Noy, Managing Director at Naturecall Environmental.

"On behalf of PwC, I would like to thank the organisations that applied for the PwC & Murra Boost Initiative this year and congratulate Steven Noy and the team at Naturecall Environment. This is a fantastic opportunity for PwC and PwC’s Indigenous Consulting to help grow their capability and contribute to their future success.” Kim Cheater, PwC National Reconciliation Governance Group Co-Chair.