ABC announces appointment of Aboriginal elder-in-residence to improve cultural safety at the national broadcaster

The ABC has appointed professor Jackie Huggins as its inaugural Elder-in-Residence. 

Professor Huggins is a Bidjara and Birribi-Gubba Juru woman and prominent author and historian. 

She has built a distinguished career through her work across the community and through government and non-government sectors. 

Professor Huggins became a Member of the Order of Australia in 2001 and was recognised for her work in womens issues, literacy, reconciliation and social justice. 

The ABC announced on Wednesday professor Huggins would be its Elder-in-Residence for a two-year tenure, which has an option to review. 

In her role as Elder-in-Residence, professor Huggins will provide support to the ABCs First Nations employees.

Following an already impressive career, professor Huggins described her appointment as Elder-in-Residence as one of my highest badges of honour. 

My new role is something that I never imagined I would do when I started my employment at the ABC when I was 16 years of age, she said.  

Bidjara and Birribi-Gubba Juru woman professor Jackie Huggins has been appointed as the ABCs Elder-in-Residence 

I have been a long-time audience member and contributor to the ABC. 

I look forward to deepening that connection through taking up the position of the ABCs inaugural Elder-in-Residence and to meeting and yarning with people across the divisions and offices of our national broadcaster.

I am also looking forward to working with the Director First Nations Strategy, the Bonner Committee and the ABC Leadership team in setting the stepping stones for the work ahead.

Professor Huggins told the ABC she was looking forward to taking care of, speaking up for and mentoring First Nations people, just as Elders mentored her.

The Elder-in-Residence role was created in 2024 in response to the Listen Loudly, Act Strongly report - an independent review of the ABCs systems and processes in support of stuff who experience racism. 

The review found only one of the 120 participants - comprising of current and former ABC staff - described not personally experiencing racism in the workplace. 

The participants including First Nations, Allies and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people. 

The review overwhelmingly indicated racism existed within the ABCs workplace and that staff were subjected to racism from external individuals and organisations in connection with their work.  

The Elder-in-Residence role was created in 2024 in response tot he Listen Loudly, Act Strongly report - an independent review of the ABCs systems and processes in support of stuff who experience racism

In her role, professor Huggins will provide cultural guidance to management and leadership teams through the implementation of the reports 15 recommendations.

Professor Huggins will report to the ABCs acting director of First Nations strategy Kelly Williams. 

Newly appointed ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks welcomed professor Huggins, claiming the national broadcaster was now well placed to act strongly on the report.

We must ensure our approach to addressing issues of racism and any form of inequity reaches into every part of the organisation, Mr Marks said. 

This is a priority for me in my new role as Managing Director. 

It comes after SBS appointed Widjabal Wiyabal Bundjalung woman Rhoda Roberts AO as the broadcasters Elder-in-Residence in 2021.