nib has joined many other Australian corporates, government and not-for-profit organisations in launching a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
The RAP, which is focused on reflection, is designed to support the company to learn and reflect on what it means to truly reconcile with Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
The insurer said its RAP provides the framework to guide its actions to build meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
nib Group managing director Mark Fitzgibbon said reflection is an important first step towards reconciliation.
“We acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were the First People of this land and feel it’s important to reflect together on their histories, cultures, languages and knowledge so that our efforts towards equality and reconciliation are reflected in the decisions we make, the environment we create and the work that we do,” said Mr Fitzgibbon.
“This RAP is no afterthought, we’ve already established a RAP Committee to ensure our commitments are being upheld and conversations and cultural training with advisors in this space, like Speaking in Colour, are underway,” he said.
Mr Fitzgibbon continued, “The 10-year gap in life expectancy outcomes for our First Nations peoples compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts, and the inequality they face in health, employment and education, is just not acceptable.
“As a healthcare company, by far the biggest impact we can have in terms of reconciliation, is improving the health and wellbeing of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. And we have some bold and innovate plans underway to improve population health, which we think will make a meaningful impact in helping close this health gap."
Last year, nib foundation also announced a $1 million commitment over the next four years to expand its work in the area of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing.
“nib foundation’s commitment will form a big part of our RAP. We will continue to develop partnerships with organisations who specialise in working with First Nations peoples with a focus on boosting community health, education and employment prospects - through health prevention and promotion initiatives,” said Mr Fitzgibbon.
Reconciliation Australia CEO, Karen Mundine, welcomed the nib RAP and said reflection is one of the most important steps that will help set nib up for meaningful reconciliation.
“This RAP enables nib to deepen its understanding of its sphere of influence and the unique contribution it can make to lead progress across the RAP’s five dimensions of reconciliation: race relations, equality and equity, institutional integrity, unity and historical acceptance.
“Getting these first steps right will ensure the sustainability of future RAPs and reconciliation initiatives, and provide meaningful impact toward Australia’s reconciliation journey,” said Ms Mundine.