building relationships, respect and opportunities

FOXTEL RECONCILIATION ACTION PLANMessage from the CEOReconciliation with Indigenous Australians is something I have believed in for many years and it is with a sense of responsibility to our fellow Indigenous Australians that FOXTEL has developed a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) which we believe demonstrates practical support to reconciliation.

In recent months we have talked to external companies who have developed RAPs already, we have sourced advice from Indigenous stakeholders and advisers on Indigenous matters, talked to our potential industry partners, and talked to some of our Senior Leaders about the potential as to how FOXTEL can contribute to reconciliation successfully.

Together, we have agreed that FOXTEL will contribute to reconciliation through leading by example in the Television and Media industry, building the core TV/Media and business skills of Indigenous people, in doing so it may assist some of the participants to share their positive stories and culture with more of Australia.

We have endeavoured to make our plan practical, achievable and most importantly effective. We have developed a Reconciliation Working Group that I will personally chair to monitor our progress throughout this year and beyond, ensuring we keep our plan alive and responsive to identified needs.

We will continue to build relationships with Indigenous friends such as NiTV, and seek guidance from Indigenous bodies such as Reconciliation Australia. We will continue to look at ways to contribute to Indigenous communities through offering our respect and building relationships and we will work to continuously improve Indigenous employment opportunities at FOXTEL.

I look forward to reporting on and sharing our progress.

Kim Williams Chief Executive Officer

Our BusinessFOXTEL is Australia’s leading subscription television provider. It commenced distributing its services on cable with 20 channels in 1995, expanding to 31 channels and satellite distribution in 1999 and increased it’s offering to 45 channels in 2002. Since 2004 it has expanded to over 150 channels and is an all digital broadcaster. FOXTEL is now available to more than 70% of Australian homes, with more than 1.5 million homes currently connected to the FOXTEL service directly or by receipt of services provided on a wholesale basis to other providors such as Optus TV.

Our Vision for ReconciliationFOXTEL is eager to play its part in affirming a better understanding of Indigenous Australians and Australian history through its role as a broadcaster and employer.

FOXTEL aims to offer leadership in the Media Industry by contributing to the reconciliation of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in building the core TV/New Media and general business skills sets of Indigenous people and in doing so enable better professional possibilities and as relevant for participants to share their positive stories and culture via media channels throughout Australia.

Indigenous images courtesy BaruKadal, The Dreaming Festival, QFF, copyright ©2007

FOXTEL RECONCILIATION INITIATIVES1 – BUILDING CORE RELATIONSHIPS

ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMELINE TARGET

Built a relationship with Reconciliation Australia to help FOXTEL understand how we could contribute and develop our Reconciliation Plan. FOXTEL appointing 2 RAP Leaders who researched the possibilities for FOXTEL of an effective RAP, talked to other companies (both media and non-media), and Indigenous advisory bodies. FOXTEL then developed and publicised a Reconciliation Plan.

FOXTEL CEO

2 x RAP Leads

Jan 2008 Complete

Establish a FOXTEL RAP working groupChair CEORAP Lead Director, Strategic ProjectsRAP Lead HR Leader, StrategyBusiness Lead Head of Broadcast OperationsBusiness Lead Executive Director, EngineeringCommunity Lead Community Team HR Lead HR Business PartnerIndigenous Representative Partners Reconciliation Australia

Aboriginal Employment Strategy NiTV

2 x RAP Leads to co-ordinate.

1 x Indigenous Rep Partner to be invited to each meetings

Group established Feb 2008

Meetings:

MarchJulyNovember

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Group meets 3 times per annum to measure progress:

November meeting sees the broadening of the RAP group for 2009 to include other FOXTEL departments including:

TV / MarketingCorporate (IS / Finance / HR etc)Collaboration with other Indigenous people / organisations

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Develop a database for Indigenous industry contacts using available tools such as Little Black Book, and our Media Contacts.

HR Lead March 2008 on-going

Database updated quarterly following quarterly RAP working group meeting. A strong network of Indigenous contacts

Source opportunities to develop an industry network group, the vision being that together we can support the on-going and shared development of Indigenous people, to ensure sustainable employment in media beyond our individual contributions. Core purpose and goals of the group to be established by August 2008.

2 x RAP Leads Meet:

AprilAugustDecember

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Group to meet 3 times per year to discuss the potential opportunities to share resources and work together to improve reconciliation.

Support Indigenous events through:School based promotion as part of our FOXTEL’s school programSponsorship or ‘In Kind Support’ to relevant Indigenous events

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RAP Working Group Current – December 2008

To include NiTV in School FOXTEL distribution where appropriate / possible

Evidence of at least 3 events we have sponsored, or offered ‘in kind’ support to.

Develop a relationship with Aboriginal Employment Strategy to assist us in:Development of a cultural awareness program within FOXTEL. This will initially be delivered only where we place Indigenous employees, with a review after 12 months which will explore the possibility and benefits of rolling this out more broadly across FOXTEL.Assist us in provision of mentoring services to assist us to support any Indigenous employees/ trainees, and people managing those employees.

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HR Business Partner From first hire …..

Review December 2008

All FOXTEL employees working with Indigenous employees have completed a cultural awareness or mentoring program to ensure our programs are successful.

Complete review at end of December to assess best approach for 2009

ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMELINE TARGET

Promote Indigenous Issue / success stories through:Providing links from our ‘FOXTEL Connecting’ Intranet site to external sites such as Reconciliation AustraliaCoverage of any Indigenous programs we deliver through our internal newsletter (to continue to educate FOXTEL staff on Indigenous matters)

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RAP Working Group March – ongoing Demonstrated promotion of issues/ stories through at least 2 FOXTEL publications per annum

Audit HR Policies:Ensure our policies reflect and provide for Indigenous Cultural Responsibilities•

HR April – ongoing Demonstrated review / changes to be reported at each RAP meeting

Support key positive Indigenous Media issues where possible:eg support of the Governments ‘Apology’ campaign, by releasing supporting education documents to all staff

•CEO & Dir of Corporate Affairs

December 2008 Demonstrated commitment to supporting at least 2 key issues

Implementation of Indigenous Cultural Protocols as appropriate:Inviting traditional owners to perform a Welcome to Country at appropriate FOXTEL eventsAcknowledging country on our websiteAll staff to be encouraged to celebrate national Reconciliation Week and NAIDOCDisplay Indigenous Art as suitable

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RAP Working Group to co-ordinate

March – ongoing At least 1 event per annum where traditional owners are invited to perform Welcome to Country

Website acknowledgement by April

Demonstrated support of Rec Week

2 pieces of Indigenous Art on display.Develop relationships with Indigenous bodies to educate ourselves on how we can further our RAP:

eg Aboriginal Employment StrategyDepartment of Workplace Relations Indigenous Program

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HR Business Partner March – ongoing Demonstrate at least 2 new relationships that have been created to support our on-going RAP.

Integrate Indigenous focus into FOXTEL’s existing Corporate Community Investment Program, FOXTEL Connecting including:

FOXTEL schools programSponsorship of grass-roots sport for major codes in Indigenous communitiesSupport Indigenous creative talent and cultural eventsProvide opportunities for our staff to support Indigenous events and initiatives through our volunteering programCelebrate Reconciliation Week and use this as an opportunity to educate our staff and raise awareness of Indigenous issuesReport on FOXTEL’s progress through our Corporate Community Investment Report

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Community Team By December 2008

School program implemented by December 2008

Demonstrated support of all initiatives to be reported on at each RAP Group Meeting.

Liase with Aurora Community Channel* to promulgate content on air and onlineAurora is an integrated broadcast and online destination for community involvement across Australia. It is a not for profit organisation, on-air 24/7 on Foxtel Digital, AUSTAR Digital and Optus TV featuring FOXTEL Digital.

•Director Strategic Projects

Current – ongoing Demonstrated promotion of issues / stories through Aurora

FOXTEL RECONCILIATION INITIATIVES2 – CULTURAL RESPECT

ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMELINE TARGET

Indigenous Regional Work Experience Program:To provide a minimum of 2 Indigenous students the opportunity to participate in work experience at FOXTEL , to ensure that we are providing awareness of our industry.

•HR RAP Lead

HR Business Partner

2 x Business Leads

November 2008 2 or more regional Indigenous students complete 1 week work experience by the end of 2008

Indigenous participation in our Internship ProgramSource a minimum of 2 TV / Media university students to participate in our 2 week internship program (currently in conjunction with Charles Sturt University)

•HR Business Partner

2 X Business Leads

October 2 or more Indigenous university students complete 2 week internship by end of 2008

Indigenous Skills Secondment – Broadcast OperationsProvide 2 opportunities for Indigenous people working for smaller production companies - these could be for one month up to six months depending on the requirements of both parties at the time.

•HR Business Partner

1 x Business Lead

December 2 or more Indigenous secondments completed by December 2008

Indigenous 12 month Work ProgramProvide 1 opportunity for an Indigenous person to work on a rotational program within Broadcast Operations, with a view to offering permanent employment subject to positive performance.

•HR Business Partner

1 x Business Lead

July 2008 Person hired by July 2008, cultural awareness program for team implemented, and first 6 months completed by Dec 2008.

Research and prepare for Indigenous School Based Traineeship for 2009Work with a local Sydney College to discuss potential opportunity to work together in 2009, using 2008 as an opportunity to develop program, promote program and understand best ways to work at FOXTEL.

•HR Business Partner

RAP Working Group

July - December 2008

Report on progress of development at 4 monthly RAP Working Group meeting.

Engineering Graduate / TAFE OpportunitiesInclude specific Indigenous candidate sourcing as part of broader Engineering Grad Program review.

•HR Business Partner

1 x Business Lead

August Report on progress of development at 4 monthly RAP Working Group meeting to include 1 Indigenous Graduate

Develop a report on Indigenous Opportunities for long-term successUtilising the learnings from each of the above employment strategies, develop a report with recommendations for 2009 on the most appropriate way to move forward to ensure longevity of employment for Indigenous people in our industry.

•RAP Lead / HR Business Partner

December 2008 To create longer-term employment strategies (permanent work) for Indigenous employees.

FOXTEL RECONCILIATION INITIATIVES3 – INDIGENOUS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES & SKILLS DEVELOPMENT @ FOXTEL

ACTION RESPONSIBILITY TIMELINE TARGET

Ensure we publicly report on and refresh our FOXTEL RAP annually. RAP Working Group In line with Annual Report

Present RAP outcomes in:

Annual ReportWebsite announcementReconciliation Australia

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4 – TRACKING OUR PROGRESS