Madeline Hislop, July 9, 2024

When we talk about the importance of diverse leadership in organisations, too often the conversation focuses on gender diversity, but a deeper look at intersecting identities is necessary if we are to truly transform leadership. In particular, it’s essential that there is action taken by organisations to hire, develop, retain and promote First Nations people. 

Reports such as ANU’s Navigating to Senior Leadership in The Australian Public Service: Identifying Employment Barriers and Enablers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples detail a range of actions that can be taken to increase representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in senior leadership. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain vastly underrepresented – or completely excluded from leadership in the Australian workforce.  The Minderoo Foundation’s Indigenous Employment Index found that representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at senior leadership levels was just 0.7 per cent among some of Australia’s largest employers.