Laing O’Rourke launches Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan

Laing O’Rourke has launched its Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) endorsed by Reconciliation Australia.

In 2011, Laing O’Rourke was the first construction company to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan. Since then, the business has worked closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partners across the country to enable increased and sustainable participation in the delivery of major infrastructure.

In the first year of the delivery of the RAP, FY2012, Laing O’Rourke spent a total of $1.8m with 12 Indigenous businesses.  Twelve years later, in FY2024, that figure was $67m with 141 businesses.

Rebecca Hanley, Managing Director – Australia said, “In different ways, we have always strived to push the boundaries of what’s possible, in service of humanity. This has permeated everything we have delivered – be that advances in engineering, reinventing the way we go to work, adopting new technologies or improving the gender balance within our business. This is also true for our relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.”

“Building constructive, engaging relationships with our First Nations communities is not only a moral imperative; it makes sense to build economic capability in the communities in which we are working. It also makes sense to fully leverage local knowledge, diversity of thought and innovative perspectives within our supply chain.”

“We will always be guided by our values of care, integrity and courage to build stronger relationships, foster a respectful work culture, and create new opportunities. There is more to do, but together we can move closer to reconciliation.”

Andrew Jeffrey, Commercial Director – Australia said, “As a company we celebrate diversity and inclusion, and we continue to build a culturally safe workplace where First Nations people are proud to share their identity.”

“This Stretch RAP sets out a significant amount of work to be done around building relationships, respecting culture, and creating opportunities with First Nations Peoples.”

“Over the next three years, we will continue to support and develop Indigenous organisations through our supply chain, and support the communities in which we work, ultimately to make a difference in everything that we do.”

Read Laing O’Rourke’s Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan here.