Impact Policy

Join Sam and Kuyan for a yarn about place based responses in social policy and community development. together they also explore issues around mental health and reflect on the NSW Aboriginal Knockout and its significance and impact for Aboriginal people, families and communities across NSW.

2. Personal Journey and Identity FormationKate Webber's Aboriginal heritage and connection to multiple nationsInfluence of family (grandmother, mother, and father's service) on identity and generosityChildhood experiences facing discrimination and racismNavigating conflict between pride in Aboriginal identity and external negativityCarrying forward family legacy and sense of service3. Identity Challenges Growing UpImpact of racism during primary schoolLack of Aboriginal perspective in education (focus on colonization, Captain Cook projects)Struggles with shame and belongingCode-switching and hiding identity in unsupportive environmentsImportance of family and community in fostering pride4. Mental Health and WellbeingEarly experiences of racism, bullying (relating to Aboriginal and Chinese heritage)The role of family and community support in building confidenceConnection between lived experience and academic/professional interest in psychologyMental health struggles in family history (grandmother’s depression, intergenerational impacts)Personal battles: low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, recovery from trauma5. Journey of HealingPower and importance of connection during crisisSteps toward regaining autonomy and controlBuilding supportive relationships outside toxic environmentsAdvances in self-care: regaining interests, healthier routines, addressing eating disordersGradual process of building resilience and confidence6. The Role of Systems and StructuresImpact of systemic racism and poverty (housing, education, social support)Inequity in government responses, resources, and societal structuresRacism embedded in systems affecting Aboriginal familiesThe importance (and gap) of culturally informed systems7. Racial Empathy Gap and AssessmentDefinition and examples of the racial empathy gapMedia’s role in perpetuating disparity in empathy and reportingImportance of accurate assessment for effective treatmentCritiques of mainstream frameworks and need for culture-bound syndromesNegative consequences of misassessment in child protection and mental health8. Decolonization and Systemic ChangeCritique of “West is Best” and “White is Right” mentalitiesMisguided attempts at tokenistic inclusion of Aboriginal perspectivesNeed for systemic overhaul, genuine power-sharing, and cultural equityChallenges of addressing siloes vs interconnected systems in Aboriginal policy (e.g., Close the Gap)9. Professional Highlights and Systemic AdvocacyPositive outcomes when First Nations people lead program designImportance of safe spaces and empowerment in professional and community developmentLeading leadership and development programs with successful resultsAdvocacy for elevating Aboriginal voices, genuine co-design, and decision-making power10. Creative Expression and StorytellingArtistic influences and background (family of artists and musicians)Role of art and creative writing/music in processing trauma and emotionsInterest in art therapy as a modality for healingHealing power of storytelling, slam poetry, and creative arts in Indigenous and marginalized communities

Adam Thompson, Director at Homes NSW, says you can’t bulldoze through Australia’s housing crisis—you need people at the heart of every decision.Homes aren’t just buildings. They hold memories, connections, and shape entire communities. That’s why listening to those in social housing is central to his work.Adam’s a proud “social housing kid” and stays connected to his roots—he knows firsthand how often tenants don’t feel heard, and he wants to shift that.True engagement isn’t just a box-ticking exercise or defensively keeping “future complaints” at bay. It’s about actually learning from lived experience and letting it shape policy.He insists that if you’re not honestly seeking input, don’t call it “engagement.” Call it consultation or a briefing—communities deserve clarity and honesty.Building trust is about “yarn at the front, business at the back”: have real conversations before getting down to the practicalities. Genuine relationships make all the difference.One-size-fits-all approaches don’t work. Every community is unique, so how you engage should fit their local needs. Sometimes it’s big town halls, sometimes it’s small group conversations.Engagement helps people see their ideas brought to life, whether via improved services, safer design, or simply being listened to. That pride and ownership are real.Leaders need to front up, communicate clearly, and handle tough conversations with conviction and authenticity. Trust comes from consistency and genuine care—not spin.Homes NSW is embedding tenant involvement at all levels, investing in participation teams, and making engagement a sustained presence, not just a reaction to complaints.Being honest about what’s possible, learning from Aboriginal engagement principles, and owning both wins and failures are all part of how real change happens.At the end of the day, Adam reminds us: it’s not just about homes, it’s about people, memories, and the fabric of communities. That’s what real progress looks like.

Kuyan and Sean form Impact Policy dive deep into lateral violence and anti racism, below is an outline of some of the topics they navigate together2. Lateral Violence: Definitions and PrevalenceDescription of lateral violence and its recurring presence in various sectors and work environmentsEmphasis on the lack of nuanced understanding of the root causesEncouragement to view the issue at both surface and systemic levels3. Root Causes and Systemic IssuesConnection to colonization and genocide as foundational drivers of lateral violenceDismantling the myth that lateral violence is an “Aboriginal-only” issueExamination of environmental and systemic factors enabling lateral violence to persistComparison with experiences in other marginalized communities globally4. Understanding and Misunderstanding the IssueNoting that most people can give examples but lack depth in understanding origins and systemic componentsThe role of non-Aboriginal systems and practices in perpetuating lateral violenceDiscussion of reactive versus proactive responses: addressing symptoms vs. tackling root causes5. Difficulties Addressing Lateral ViolenceTendency to address the issue at the individual level without systemic changeAnalogy: treating symptoms without curing the infectionChallenges faced by non-Indigenous people in engaging with lateral violence due to lack of systemic understanding and fear6. The Nuances and Workplace TriggersImportance of addressing both systemic and individual levelsNon-Indigenous reluctance to get involved, and its consequencesWorkplace examples: “advice shopping,” elevation of some Aboriginal voices over others, recruitment and competition triggersImpact of lack of transparency in recruitment and funding decisions7. Personal Experiences and Emotional ImpactSharing of personal and collective experiences of lateral violence within government and communityEmotional toll: when lateral violence follows individuals home and permeates personal life and community connectionsUnique burdens experienced by Aboriginal people navigating workplace and community pressures9. Transparency, Integrity, and LeadershipLack of transparency in decision-making as a systemic contributorThe societal pattern in Australia of narrative control and withholding informationThe link between integrity, leadership, and willingness to be transparent10. Cultural Dynamics, Elevation, and DiversityProblems with elevating individual voices or “leaders” over the diversity within communitiesHomogenization—misunderstanding of the multiplicity of Aboriginal experiences and viewpointsTension arising from mismatches between workplace/sectoral elevation and community status11. Conflict and AccountabilityDistinction between healthy conflict and lateral violenceTraditional strengths of Aboriginal communities in conflict management and resolutionSeeking accountability vs. tearing down individualsReflection on how social and professional settings can foster unhealthy conflict compared to traditional or community-based resolution12. Language and Concepts: ‘Staunch’, Anger, and Misapplied Strength13. Systemic Pressures and Double Standards14. Practical Solutions and Advice

Episode: Transforming Systems from Within – A Conversation with Paul O’ReillyRecorded on Bidjigal Country, this episode sees Paul O’Reilly (Deputy Secretary, NSW DCJ) join Sam Johnson and Kuyan Mitchell to tackle the big questions around community, justice, and leadership in the public sector.We dig into the realities of youth justice and out of home care, focusing on the systemic overrepresentation of Aboriginal young people. Paul draws on his diverse background—from youth worker to senior leader—to explore what it means to lead with integrity, the necessity of sharing decision-making power, and how genuine reform requires both humility and practical action.Whether you’re a policymaker, community advocate, or practitioner on the ground, this conversation offers hard-won lessons, inspiration, and real hope for change.ShownotesKey Topics:Paul O'Reilly’s personal journey from Ireland to frontline youth work in Sydney and 27 years in the public sectorThe realities and overrepresentation of Aboriginal youth in care and justice systemsSystemic and institutional racism: recognition, impacts, and strategies for changeWhy sharing decision-making power and bringing community voices to the centre is essentialThe complexities of achieving systems reform inside government silosOpportunities for funding and supporting Aboriginal-led organisations and social enterprisesLeadership lessons: humility, vulnerability, and championing lived experiencePersonal stories of post-traumatic growth and the ongoing connection to frontline practiceHopeful trends and what excites Paul about the future of the sectorQuotable Moments:“Statutory systems need to be as small as possible—kids and families should only have contact when necessary.”“Humility is an enormous strength if you actually want to make progress... it’s about modelling behaviour.”“It’s a white system full of black kids. And unless you’re willing to acknowledge that impact, you shouldn’t be in the system.”Additional Resources:Acknowledgement of Country: This episode was recorded on Bidjigal Country and honours Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.Learn more about Impact PolicyConnect/Contact: To partner, collaborate, or learn more, email samjohnson@impactpolicyau.com or follow us on LinkedInSupport & CommunityIf you valued this episode, please share it with your networks, leave a review, and help us spread practical learnings and stories that matter.

Join Sean and Kuyan along with Sam as they dive into the latest episode of the Impact Policy Podcast and together unpack key takeaways from the National Planning Congress in Darwin. Tune in for sharp insights on Aboriginal communities, planning, and community-led change.Here's what you'll hear about in this episode:First-hand reflections on the National Planning Institute of Australia Congress, including the growing presence of Aboriginal voices in the sectorThe critical role of planning systems in both historical dispossession and empowering future land rights and cultural heritageReal-world legacy issues still felt by Aboriginal communities due to past planning policies—plus examples of ongoing practical challengesThe importance of co-design, centering Aboriginal voices, and shifting from tokenistic engagement to genuine power-sharing in policyStandout initiatives, case studies, and award-winning projects leading the way for culturally responsive planning in AustraliaDon’t forget to subscribe, follow, and share if you find value in these discussions!Impact Policy Podcast, Aboriginal communities, planning sector, National Planning Congress, cultural heritage, land rights, co design, community development, legacy issues, social policy, country, colonisation, planning system, native title, agency, country outcomes, community voice, infrastructure, social change, truth telling, co design principles, planning with country, policy, sector reform, impact, Roads to Home, Cumberland Plains, Knowledge Circle

In this Episode of the Impact policy podcast, Sam Johnson sits down with Terri Janke, a celebrated leader in Indigenous cultural and intellectual property (ICIP). Terri shares her passion for empowering First Nations people through arts, culture, and business.00:00 "ICIP Insights with Terry Janky"07:36 From Law to Arts Activism13:26 Copyright Triumph in Aboriginal Art21:44 Indigenous Cultural Rights Advocacy26:38 "True Tracks: Indigenous Cultural Integrity"30:33 True Tracks: Multidisciplinary Collaborative Pathways33:07 ICIP Empowering Aboriginal Staff38:23 Aboriginal Staff Accountability Challenges48:04 Collective Contract Negotiation Strategies53:01 Repatriation and Community Investment Focus56:25 Navigating ICIP Disputes Locally01:03:01 Aboriginal Language Preservation Framework01:09:32 "Trauma-Informed Strengths-Based Approach"01:13:00 "Respect and Responsibility for Knowledge"01:16:33 Guest Appreciation and Contact InfoHere are some keywords for this episode: Indigenous cultural and intellectual property, ICIP, True Tracks framework, Terri Janke, First Nations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, intellectual property rights, copyright law, social justice, cultural heritage, consent, empowerment, knowledge management, community engagement, cultural safety, legal gaps, indigenous knowledge, cultural continuity.