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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda has argued a human rights-based approach to business is needed to address power imbalances between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Speaking at the Indigenous Business, Enterprise and Corporations Conference at the UWA Business School, Mr Gooda said a human rights-based approach to business would be important to ensure respect for Indigenous history, close the gap of disadvantage, and avoid, and if necessary, rectify human rights breaches.

"A human rights-based approach not only matters to Indigenous business and economic development in our communities, but is essential to that development," Mr Gooda said, adding he would like to see companies incorporating The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into their operations.

Using the mining industry as an example, Mr Gooda said a human rights approach based on respect and empowerment of Indigenous people could avoid damage such as the desecration of a sacred site recently committed by OM Manganese Ltd.

"Mining has certainly generated a lot of prosperity for this nation, and no doubt it can deliver financial benefits for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities upon whose land it takes place," Mr Gooda said.

"But by the same token, mining has deeply affected our communities."

As a positive example of business based around a human rights approach, Mr Gooda cited the example of the Wiradjuri Condoblin Corporation, a 100 per cent Aboriginal owned corporation established out of the Native Title Agreement between Barrick and the Wiradjuri Condoblin Native Title Claim Group in NSW.

Mr Gooda also praised the growing number of businesses that are owned and managed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and non-Indigenous businesses putting in place Reconciliation Action Plans.

"I believe that businesses can contribute to the economic and social development of our communities, but they must ensure that their engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples occurs in a way that respects and supports our human rights," Mr Gooda said.

"We see real opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to stand on an equal footing and become true partners with business and government based on rights, relationships and responsibilities."

The Indigenous Business, Enterprise and Corporations Conference is being held at the UWA Business School on 1-2 December.

Mick Gooda was speaking at the 3rd Indigenous Business, Enterprise and Corporations Conference at the UWA Business School.

Media references

Verity Chia (UWA Business School)                                                 (+61 8) 6488 1346
Emma Watton (IBECC Media Coordinator)                                      (+61 4) 31 936 397