Reconciliation is a term booted about frequently. So is ‘Closing the Gap’.
But what do we know about these terms and how do they relate to the primary business of making a profit and ensuring continuity?

Let me expand and expound.
And for me, this is personal. As a Ngarluma person from this country here. Its not just business. It is business with a conscious to deliver discernible benefit for all stakeholders, not just the ones who are also microphone holders. With already amplified voices.

Reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between ATSI and non-Indigenous peoples for the benefit of all Australians.
Closing the Gap is about closing the lifespan gap between ATSI and non-Indigenous peoples for the benefit of all Australians.
Business is a common space in which Indigenous and non-indigenous people come together and interact. But it is of limited reconciliation value if the negotiations are overly lop sized and only focus on financial outcomes.

Typically reconciliation action plans(RAPs) contain statements with verbs like: Research, attend, circulate, identify. Generally passive activities that can be achieved in an office disconnected from the communities in which we operate. These activities do not reduce the lifespan gap, but gives the appearance of action.
Business that includes localized co-designed RAPs allows for deeper understanding of the lived differences between ATSI & non-Indigenous Australians.
Indigenous Australians need non-Indigenous Australians to be strong, informed allies with us.
Non-indigenous Australians need Indigenous Australians to show what wholistic reconciliation is and how to heal from traumatic past.
Business can be the space where the coming together allows for this exchange to occur, and to provide a basis for future fair equity sharing and opportunity harnessing for the benefit of all Australians.