Striving for economic empowerment

I often find myself in rooms where decisions are made, in spaces where influence is shaped and I think of my Nan, Pansy Hickey a proud Wonnarua Elder. Like many strong Aboriginal women, she was the matriarch of our family. A force shaped by her time, she created space for others long before it was offered to her. We often say we stand on the shoulders of giants and I truly believe that!

We are lifted by the strength of our ancestors and those who fought to make sure we could hold space in this world. My Nan was a community leader. I remember the marches we went on, the t-shirts we screen printed together and the signs we painted. She never called it activism or advocacy, she just knew it was necessary. As a child, those moments shaped my understanding of the world and the values I still hold strong. It helped me understand that something wasn’t right in how our people were treated but even more importantly, it taught me the power of unity, the strength of community and the necessity of having a voice.

My story isn’t unique.

Many Aboriginal people of my generation were raised in communities that taught us to stand strong and speak up. And now, as CEO of the National Indigenous Employment and Training Alliance (The Alliance), I often think about Nan. I carry her spirit with me into every room and every table I sit at. Like so many of our mob, I’ve seen what it means to be excluded. I know what it means to fight to be seen.

The Alliance exists for a simple reason: we believe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples deserve to be valued and to thrive in an economy that works for them.

At The Alliance, we often refer to the mud crab story. You may have heard it. A bucket full of mud crabs, and as one tries to climb out, another pulls it back down. Some have used that as a metaphor for our mob holding each other back. But we choose to see it differently. We believe the problem isn’t the crabs — it’s the bucket. It’s the system.

Our role at The Alliance is to disrupt that system. We represent and advocate for the Indigenous employment and training sector and Indigenous job seekers. We work to break down barriers, reshape narratives and drive meaningful change on the frontline.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples deserve to thrive in an economy that works for them. We are not just advocating for jobs, we are advocating for a future grounded in self-reliance, cultural safety and long-term economic prosperity.

That’s why The Alliance exists.

I often reflect on the way we honour our veterans in this country. We let them tell their stories, and we don’t blame them for the injustices they experienced, we accept their truths and say, “We can do better for you.” Sadly, that same grace isn’t always extended to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our stories can be uncomfortable, complex and emotionally confronting. And so too often, people turn away. But change requires us to turn towards each other, to acknowledge that discomfort, and to use it to fuel something better.

To build that better future, we need an ecosystem where:

• Employers have the tools and knowledge to create culturally safe and meaningful employment.
• Government policies about Indigenous people are shaped by Indigenous voices.
• First Nations businesses and employment providers have the resources they need to grow and thrive.

Because real impact does not happen in isolation, it happens when we work side by side. 

A crucial part of that impact is the willingness to be transparent to share the full picture, not just the highlights. Balanced reporting matters. It allows us to acknowledge the progress made while also shining a light on where change is still needed.

Traditional index reports have often been used to expose gaps without offering a path forward. We are shifting that approach. Last month, we launched the First Nations Employment Index 2025 (Index 2025), by The Alliance. Our Index is about knowing and showing, helping organisations to understand their impact and use that insight to lead real, lasting change.

When organisations are willing to lean into the reality of their workplace, to be open about what’s working and what isn’t, it creates space for honesty, accountability and growth. It gives permission for people to be seen and heard. It builds a foundation for stronger outcomes.

This is not about perfection. It’s about intention. About showing up, doing the work, and committing to progress together.

One of the most powerful tools we have to drive this change is data - our data - told through our lens. 

Index 2025 is more than just a benchmarking tool. It amplifies the lived experiences of Indigenous employees across some of Australia’s largest workplaces while advancing Indigenous data sovereignty.

The findings from Index 202 make it clear: while some progress is being made, we still have work to do.

In attraction and recruitment, 38 per cent of businesses are integrating best practices. That’s promising. But only 3 per cent are actively advocating for broader systemic change. That tells us the groundwork is being laid but the courage to lead remains in short supply.

Retention and leadership are critical too. Just 12 per cent of businesses are advocating for professional development and leadership pathways for Indigenous employees. If we want real change, we must invest in nurturing Indigenous talent and creating opportunities for growth and progression.

Even more telling, just 3 per cent of organisations are leading in workplace culture and inclusion. That’s where the change really happens. A culturally safe workplace isn’t a statement, it’s an environment you feel.

It’s in the everyday decisions, the tone of leadership, the openness to listen and the willingness to confront uncomfortable truths.

This is not about ticking boxes. It’s about rewriting the story. Index 2025 is an invitation to be vulnerable and transparent. To disclose both the positive and negative impacts of organisational activity and to do so with courage and clarity. Because this kind of honest, balanced reporting, when done with intention, creates the conditions for real system transformation.

It is not about perfection. It is about being intentional. We are not asking organisations to shy away from the realities. We are asking them to lean into them. That is how people feel seen, heard and valued and ultimately how systems begin to change.

As one of the employers who participated in Index 2025, ANZ has taken an important step, not just in collecting data but in showing what leadership looks like. By choosing to be part of this process, ANZ is choosing to be seen, to listen and to act.

This work is hard. It is uncomfortable. But it is essential.

The First Nations Employment Index 2025 doesn’t just tell us where we are, it tells us where we need to go. Together, if we keep showing up with honesty and purpose, we will get there.

Kylie Penehoe Wiradjuri and Wonnarua woman, is the CEO of The Alliance