As the Victorian Government builds a path towards Treaty and continues to support First Peoples self determination, there is significant opportunity across the Transport and Planning Portfolio to create economic outcomes for First Peoples Victorians. The size and footprint of our portfolio places us in a unique position to partner with Traditional Owners and local First Peoples communities, form mutually beneficial relationships, and provide broad and diverse employment opportunities across the state.
The development of our Transport and Planning Portfolio Aboriginal Self Determination Plan (2020-2023), launched in November 2020 has laid important foundations for the development of this Strategy. In January 2023, First Peoples employees comprised of 0.53 per cent of the total head count of the Victorian Transport and Planning Portfolio workforce, including 0.70 per cent of the DTP workforce headcount and 0.40 per cent of the MTIA workforce.
Key achievements across the Transport and Planning Portfolio include:
- Establishing the First Peoples Self Determination and Reform Division
- Development of our Self Determination Framework, including a clear governance structure
- Establishment of our Transport and Planning Portfolio wide First Peoples Staff Network (FPSN)
- Holding our inaugural FPSN Conference in 2022 and again in March 2023
- Establishing a Transport and Planning Portfolio First Peoples Scholarship Program
- Delivering First Peoples Cultural Competency training across the Transport and Planning Portfolio
- Designing innovative recruitment practices including yarning circle interview methods
- Establishing talent pools to support a pipeline of First Peoples talent into the Transport and Planning Portfolio
- Celebrating NAIDOC and Reconciliation Week and other days of significance
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