CEO of Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) Mr Warren King has issued a first-of-type message outlining plans to progress beyond diversity within his workforce.
Mr King's message to employees may indicate a subtle shift in the Department's approach to fostering greater respect of difference within its workforce.
"I have a deep and personal commitment to achieving cultural reform in Defence ... It’s an issue for all of us in Defence, including in the DMO," said Mr King.
The plan shifts focus to the inclusive practices required to provide a better place to work, richer experiences and a workplace where everyone belongs.
There is recognition that focus on diversity alone is unlikely to deliver better business outcomes.
"Ideals such as diversity, inclusion and fairness are essential. They are challenging, largely because of the traditionally male-dominated field in which we work, but we shouldn’t shirk something just because it’s hard - particularly something so important."
King considers that striving for a more diverse and inclusive work environment is the right thing.
"Australia and our ADF stand for what is Australian; what is fair and just," he said. "We are a nation inspired by notions of ‘having a go’, rising to a challenge and succeeding against all the odds."
Correlation between diversity and greater creativity are the rationale for progressing cultural change, given the greater potential for a diverse and valued workforce to uncover new and better ways of doing business.
The message continues on to define specific success criteria for diversity and inclusion within the DMO workforce.
Source: http://www.defence.gov.au/dmo/multimedia/diversity_a4_brochure-web-9-5989.pdf
More information: http://www.defence.gov.au/dmo/newsmedia/dmobulletin/diversity-and-inclusion-an-integral-part-of-the-dmo
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