Scentre Group launches Reconciliation Action Plan in NAIDOC Week

‘Creating change on common ground where rivers meet’

Scentre Group today released its inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan – Creating change on common ground where rivers meet – to coincide with NAIDOC Week 2016.

An important step towards the Group delivering on its purpose to create extraordinary places connecting and enriching communities, the Reconciliation Action Plan has been endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, and reflects Scentre Group’s ongoing commitment to ensure its practices mirror the communities in which it operates.

Scentre Group’s Chairman of the Diversity and Inclusion Council Ian Irving said: “Many of our centres are located within geographical areas of cultural significance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.  As such, we believe it is our responsibility to ensure that we not only understand and embrace the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and rights, but seek to increase appreciation, respect and understanding among the broader community.

“We have an important role in ensuring everyone – employees, shoppers, retailers and all stakeholders – have an appreciation of our shared environments.”

The Reconciliation Action Plan is just one part of the Group’s Diversity and Inclusion strategy that includes a formal program of activities that promotes Indigenous employment by increasing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and businesses to benefit through their engagement with Scentre Group.

The plan sets out Scentre Group’s commitments and a range of activities it will undertake over the next three years.

“We hope to positively shift mindsets and encourage a common understanding and mutual respect,” said Ian Irving, “and genuinely contribute to the continued progress of reconciliation nationally.”

NAIDOC Week will be recognised at Westfield centres nationally through a range of activities which support the celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s history, culture and achievements.

Scentre Group’s Reconciliation Action Plan Creating change on common ground where rivers meet can be viewed here.

Scentre Group (ASX Code: SCG) is the owner and operator of Westfield in Australia and New Zealand with interests in 40 centres, encompassing approximately 11,700 shops and total assets under management of $42.1 billion.

For further information please contact Julia Clarke on +61 2 9358 7426.