Westpac Australia and the Cape York Indigenous Partnership

Abstract

"This business case study analyses the engagement of Westpac Banking Corporation with the principles of the Global Compact and its overall “journey” towards better corporate citizenship. Westpac joined the Global Compact in January 2002 following a tumultuous period for both Westpac and the Australian banking sector in general. Certain events during this difficult period served as catalysts for change in Westpac’s corporate citizenship, and this study examines these catalysts both before and after Westpac joined the Global Compact. The study then addresses how Westpac has responded to the first of the Global Compact’s principles, that businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally recognized human rights. The case study explores the question, “How does Westpac learn about human rights?” through examining a unique partnership with indigenous communities in Cape York, the northeast tip of Australia. The case study aims through this analysis to provide a useful example of how Global Compact members and other corporate citizens can interpret and apply the Global Compact’s core values in the area of human rights."