Professor Jackie Huggins AM FAHA has launched her tenure as the ABC’s inaugural Elder-in-Residence. She also has a long history with the broadcaster starting with them at Toowong in Brisbane when she was just 16.
Professor Huggins, a Bidjara and Birri-Gubba Juru woman, has working across the community, government and non-government sectors and as an author and historian. In 2001 she became a Member of the Order of Australia for her work on reconciliation, social justice, literacy and women’s issues. She told Bridget Brennan on ABC News Breakfast (pictured) that she’s just ramping up.
The Elder-in-Residence role was created in response to the Listen Loudly, Act Strongly report. Professor Huggins will support First Nations employees and provide cultural guidance to the management and leadership teams across the ABC during the implementation of the report’s recommendations. The role is for a two-year term, with an option to renew.
The appointment has come with some pushback. When the Daily Telegraph (subscription required) asked if the role was paid, part or full time, and what the key performance indicators were, the ABC said the information was “confidential”.
Indigenous leader Warren Mundine also told the Telegraph:
“A lot of these positions just push ideological stuff which doesn’t really help Aboriginal people out at all.”
ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks said:
“With Professor Huggins, and under the leadership of Acting Director of First Nations Strategy Kelly Williams – and with so many other contributors around the ABC – we are well placed to act strongly,” he said.
“We must ensure our approach to addressing issues of racism and any form of inequity reaches into every part of the organisation. This is a priority for me in my new role as Managing Director.”