Aboriginal engagement partner appointed

Western Sydney Airport is setting a new standard on Aboriginal engagement, partnering with an Aboriginal advisory business to assist the company in delivering its Indigenous targets across the project. 

Western Sydney Airport Chief Executive Officer Graham Millett said Aboriginal firm Enable has been appointed as the project’s Aboriginal engagement partner. 

“This is an Australian first – the Aboriginal engagement partner will coordinate Aboriginal engagement across all aspects of the company including cultural heritage, employment, training, education, sustainability and reporting,” Mr Millett said. 

“We’re very pleased to be working with Enable on this important task to ensure that all pillars of our business – from jobs and procurement to airport design and consultation – are working in the best interests of Aboriginal Australians. 

“We have strong targets around Aboriginal engagement and our partnership with Enable hands the levers back to Aboriginal Australians to determine how they will shape Western Sydney’s Airport.” 

Enable Managing Director Michael O’Loughlin said the company was focused on delivering meaningful engagement with Aboriginal Australians, including developing and implementing a Reconciliation Action Plan. 

“Western Sydney Airport has embarked on an ambitious plan and we are excited to be part of the journey,” Mr O’Loughlin said. 

“By developing a broad-reaching, highly-inclusive Aboriginal engagement plan, Western Sydney Airport will raise the bar on all future engagements of this type, setting the standard for how Aboriginal Australians should be engaged.”