As promised - before I welcome a new host. Want to have a yarn about RAPs.

We have all heard about RAPs and when first conceived, they had lofty goals of being a means for practical reconciliation and corporate accountability.

In practice, as can be predicted with corporate Australia, RAPs have become a corporate cred card for many organisations who fail to not only implement them in practical terms but fail in comprehending the principles that underpin them.

RAPs have become that additional item that needs to be complied with by corporations that sign up to them rather than something that provides framework for organisational change. Meaningful change to address systemic issues is not a tick the box exercise.

It is very telling in the list of organisations that have RAPs that there are a number of mining companies and a significant number of engineering companies that are subcontracted by mining companies.

It speaks to the fact that it has been implemented from a procurement perspective but the actual principles of reconciliation is lost and for this reason, it has lost a lot of support by our community. RAPs and reconciliation - hold no weight to us.

There is this seeming preoccupation with relationship building as though that of itself will bring about reconciliation, however, it continues to be parasitic in implementation as it relies on goodwill from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

We are once again expected to be graceful and generous to the entitlement of those wanting to add ‘relationships with Aboriginal community’ to their corporate credentials. Stuff that - we know the hypocrisy of these organisations.

How can you possibly ‘build relationships’ with us and not be compelled to align yourself to the movement to assert our sovereignty?

RAPs carry responsibility and as Rio Tinto taught us – these responsibilities are not becoming part of the organisational tapestry of the companies that have them.

They are a corporate cred card that is tantamount to a black Instagram tile and if there is any credibility to be gained back (notwithstanding that Rio Tinto has been suspended from the program), we need to demand more from corporations that go beyond the tick a box.

Another example is the Telstra RAP - is was titled “being truthful and moving forward” while the organisation was committing unconscionable conduct against Aboriginal people. Conduct ACCC took them to Court for. https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/telstra-in-court-over-unconscionable-sales-to-indigenous-consumers

We need to stop these tick box programs - they are a waste of resources and do nothing to support our people. They are a feel good photo op while the same corporate green continues.

Squash RAPs and start consumer activism to force organisational change because change won’t come from within.