Encouraging findings in the Corporate Community Investment in Australia report

"Corporate Community Investment is becoming increasingly embedded in Australian business," Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, said today.

The Minister released a report, Corporate Community Investment in Australia, by the Australian Centre for Corporate Public Affairs in conjunction with the Business Council of Australia.

The report was commissioned by the Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership and looks at the community investment of some of Australia’s 100 largest businesses.

"What we are now seeing within Australia’s corporations is that community investment is now becoming a core activity," Mr Brough said.

"Many businesses are embracing Corporate Community Investment (CCI) as an important part of their business operation.

"ANZ and Alcoa participated in the report and were both national winners of the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Community Business Partnerships in 2006."

Alcoa of Australia’s partnership with Fairbridge has led to the revitalisation of an historic Western Australian community, transforming it into a renowned centre for programmes to develop the skills and talents of young people, particularly those who are disadvantaged.

ANZ has partnered a number of organisations, targeting three elements – Financial Literacy, Seeds of Renewal program and Employee Community Involvement. ANZ has recently announced its Reconciliation Plan in which it will seek to employee 300 Indigenous workers.

"Businesses have expressed strong commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and whilst there is still more to do, there are several industries leading the way in best practice approaches," Mr Brough said.

"The Howard Government has been working to promote the adoption of CSR and CCI and through government agencies and departments and it is very pleasing to see businesses taking this on board."