The Australian Parliamentary Service acknowledges the Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their continued connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to their Cultures, Country and Elders past, present and emerging.

About the plan

The Australian Parliamentary Service is pleased to present our third Reconciliation Action Plan, which will guide us to continue our collaborative work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples towards reconciliation. Our Innovate RAP acknowledges Reconciliation Australia’s five dimensions of reconciliation: race relations, equality and equity, institutional integrity, unity and historical acceptance.

The Parliamentary Service RAP Champions commend the RAP to all APS staff and thank those who contributed to its development. “The RAP reflects the unique and significant role of Parliament House as the meeting place for the nation’s representatives, and acknowledges its location on land that has been a meeting place of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples for thousands of years.”

Download the Reconciliation Action Plan (PDF)

Contact the RAP Champions: rap@aph.gov.au

Key highlights from the RAP

Parliamentary Service Indigenous Employee Network (PSIEN)

Members of the PSIEN bring rich and diverse views to the workings of Parliament House and enthusiastically assist Departmental leaders to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Above: Parliamentary Services Indigenous Employees. Back row – Lachlan Murray (Arabana & Dieri), Michael Robinson (Dunghutti), Chris Cross (Wiradjuri), Joel Bulger (Ngunnawal & Wiradjuri), Clancy Bollard (Kalkadoon). Front row – Nicole Bowman (Wiradjuri), Summer Sorensen (Darumbal), Kiran McPherson (Jirrbal, Mbarbrum & Kurtijar), Cara Kirkwood (Mandandanji, Bidjara & Mithaka), Uncle Vince Bulger (Wiradjuri). Absent: Steve Wallace (Ngunnawal), Sophie Bloomfield (Wiradjuri), Kev Geary (Noongar),
Jingara Hart (Bundjalung), Benjamin Vea Vea (Yuibera), Tim Donovan (Gumbaynggirr & Dunghutti) and Kim Ridley (Brungle)

United Ngunnawal Elders Council (UNEC)

Building genuine relationships with Traditional Custodians of the land upon which we live and work will enhance our understanding and respect of Ngunnawal and Ngambri cultures. These connections will increase our appreciation for the geographic and cultural diversity of Australia’s First Peoples.

Above: United Ngunnawal Elders Council members in the mural hall. Parliament House, Canberra.

Opportunities to get involved

Participate in Reconciliation activities designed to build respect between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and other Australians. A program of language and cultural learning opportunities will be implemented through this RAP.

Yerribee Tour

The Australian Parliament House Yerribee tour shares Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ experiences of Australian Parliament House. Tours are available to staff and members of the public. They are offered on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, book here.

Above: Visitors on the Yerribee Indigenous Experiences of Parliament House tour, viewing portraits of Indigenous Australians in the Parliament House Art Collection. Photo by Penny Bradfield Auspic/DPS.

Yarning-circle activities

Stay tuned for opportunities to participate in yarning-circle activities at APH.