The ABF is a professional, disciplined law enforcement agency and our staff work tirelessly every day to protect Australia.
Unfortunately, over recent years, our staff have let us know that we are not immune to the issues of workplace bullying and sexual harassment, which are also far too prevalent in our society today. Social norms are shifting and we must too.
In 2016 we commissioned The May Group to survey about 700 staff in five locations across Australia to review the ABF's culture and identify strategies to address any shortcomings.
The review identified vulnerabilities in gender diversity and inclusiveness and highlighted examples of sexual harassment and bullying within the ABF.
The more recent APS staff census showed there are still ABF staff who have been subjected to these behaviours and that many of these people don't feel comfortable coming forward.
As I have stated publicly before, these behaviours will not be tolerated within the ABF. Where they are identified, we will take swift action to hold those responsible accountable and to support those who are subjected to these kinds of behaviours.
With a renewed senior leadership team I have made culture and behaviour within the ABF a particular focus of my work since I was sworn in as Commissioner earlier this year.
To date we have done a lot, including:
- Establishing a Culture and Behaviour Taskforce to further strengthen our culture, and foster an inclusive and safe workplace (the taskforce has already met with more than 900 officers from a range of work areas across Australia to discuss these issues and how to address them).
- Holding a series of Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner 'Town Hall' meetings across Australia to articulate the vision, mission and new signature values of the ABF and where our zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours and harassment was reinforced.
- Creating a more representative and diverse senior leadership team that will take us forward over the coming years.
- Launching "Realising Our Full Potential", a long term plan for the ABF that articulates our vision, signature values and behaviours as well as the means by which we will achieve meaningful change.
- Myself and my two deputies recently signed a Statement of Commitment to reinforce our dedication to model our signature values and champion these in the workplace.
- I have become a Male Champion of Change to learn from other senior leaders about how to effect real change and to demonstrate my personal commitment to addressing these issues.
- Developed the ABF Speak Safe initiative, a service for officers which will provide a place to speak openly about bullying, harassment, sexual harassment or other harmful behaviours connected to our workplace in a confidential and supportive environment.
As the ABF Commissioner and a Male Champion of Change, I am committed to supporting my officers who are effected by workplace bullying or harassment of any kind, and those who speak out. We will continue our work in building the ABF as a contemporary, professional and disciplined border enforcement organisation; based on cohesive values and behaviours.
