Last week Endeavour Group shared its 2022 Sustainability Report, its first as an independent business following its demerger from Woolworths Group last year. It groups its sustainability ambitions under three pillars: Responsibility & Community, People and Planet.
There are a number of significant achievements and targets set in the report including, Endeavour’s first Reconciliation Action Plan and Modern Slavery Statement as well as the establishment of the Darwin Community Advisory Committee (CAC), led by a panel of locally based, diverse, leaders who will explore initiatives that seek to reduce harm from the misuse of alcohol or problem gambling in the local area.
In a joint statement within the report, Chairman Peter Hearl and CEO Steven Donohue said: “We know our licence to operate lies in our continued leadership and action in the responsible service of alcohol and gambling. This year, we’ve gone above and beyond regulatory obligations by training and mobilising our 28,000 strong team to help us lead in responsibility. This program guides all the interactions they have in our retail stores, hotels, wineries and support offices, with our customers and communities across the country.
“We’re forming a better understanding of our impact and influence, so we can help more Australians make better choices when they enjoy our products and experiences.”
Endeavour ‘s Reconciliation Action Plan has two purposes: to help create a culturally safe space for Endeavour’s First Nations team members and to guide the business on the path towards reconciliation. The business has partnered with a number of indigenous organisations, including Redfern’s Tribal Warrior, NAIDOC Week and the Jawun Indigenous Community Partnership to educate it along the way.
Endeavour says, “We know this work is a commitment to long-term transformational change. Collaboration will be key to helping us learn and, over time, develop purposeful initiatives that support First Nations communities in a meaningful, impactful way.”
The Gilbert Review released in April 2021, recommending that construction of a Dan Murphy’s in Darwin be put aside, feels a long way from what the company says it stands for today.
The report also includes the business’ first modern slavery statement under the Modern Slavery Act 2018. The Australian Government introduced the Act three years ago mandating that companies with a turnover of more than $100 million report on how they are address modern slavery concerns.
Endeavour’s sustainability report says that while no instances of modern slavery have been identified within the business, it has identified areas of potential risk, including:
• horticulture and viticulture workers
• property and building maintenance (including cleaning
and security) and energy supply
• gig economy workers
• office products, gaming machines, merchandise,
packaging and uniforms
• outsourced IT helpdesk services
• raw materials from high-risk geographies.
The business intends to focus processes and controls relating to horticulture and viticulture workers, property maintenance workers and gig economy workers. It also has a program to ensure its products are ethically produced and sourced, and that its suppliers are managing labour and human rights risks, including risks of forced and child labour and modern slavery.
A copy of the Endeavour Group 2022 Sustainability Report can be accessed here.