Baxter stands firm with First Nations amidst government funding cuts

ESG: The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2024 (27 May – 3 June) is Now More Than Ever emphasising the urgent need to continue the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Despite the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the latest report showing the lack of meaningful progress, the 2024-25 Federal Budget papers reveal a concerning decline in funding for First Nations health programs this year and for the next three estimates.

“There have been many moments in Australia’s reconciliation journey that make us want to turn away. But when things are divisive, the worst thing we can do is disengage or disconnect. Now more than ever, we need to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation. We know that the 6.2 million Australians who voted YES are committed to better outcomes for First Nations people and are with us,” said a spokesperson from Reconciliation Australia.

Many healthcare organisations, however, are reaffirming their commitment to First Nations people by formalising Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) and turning good intentions into action.

Baxter Healthcare has marked the start of National Reconciliation Week by releasing its second Reflect RAP. It aligns with Baxter’s ACT: Activating Change Today program, a global initiative to advance racial justice within the workplace and the communities the company serves.

Brendan Cummins, General Manager for Baxter Australia and New Zealand, stated “Our reconciliation efforts have had a direct and positive effect on many of our local employees in Australia. Acknowledgement of Country in formal meetings has evolved into bespoke, carefully researched, and heartfelt acknowledgements of specific Aboriginal communities that tended and cared for the lands for thousands of years, on which our facilities now sit.”

He further added “These conscious efforts to truly understand and appreciate the incredible histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are critical to ensuring we authentically implement all the actions and initiatives set out in the Reflect framework before advancing to the Innovate RAP stage.”

“Reconciliation Australia congratulates Baxter Healthcare on continuing its reconciliation journey by formally endorsing Baxter Healthcare’s second Reflect RAP,” said Karen Mundine, CEO of Reconciliation Australia. “Through this plan, Baxter Healthcare continues to play an important role in a network of more than 3,000 corporate, government, and not-for-profit organisations that have made a formal commitment to reconciliation through the RAP program.”

Since launching its inaugural RAP in 2022, Baxter Healthcare has formed strong partnerships and implemented programs to educate and inform employees. These include cultural training workshops, employee on-country experience programs, and promoting awareness weeks such as National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.

Baxter has also partnered with Western Sydney University to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and health programs. Starting in 2021, the Baxter Healthcare Scholarship for Indigenous Nursing and Midwifery has sponsored two final-year Indigenous students annually, awarding $9,000 per student.

Reconciliation Australia is calling on supporters to stand up to defend and uphold the rights of First Nations peoples, to call out racism, and to actively amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“Now more than ever, the work continues. In treaty making, in truth-telling, in understanding our history, in education, and in tackling racism. We need connection. We need respect. We need action. And we need change. Now more than ever, we need reconciliation,” the organisation emphasised.

In reimagining healthcare, Health Industry Hub^TM is the ONLY one-stop-hub uniting the diversity of Pharma, MedTech, Diagnostics & Biotech sectors to inspire meaningful change. The exclusive leadership and influencer podcasts and vodcasts offer unparalleled insights and add immense value to our breaking news coverage.

The Health Industry Hub^TM content is copyright protected. Access is available under individual user licenses. Please click here to subscribe and visit T&Cs here.