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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/21/five-questions-to-glen-brennan-on-banking-and-indigenous-finance

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Five questions to Glen Brennan: on banking and Indigenous finance Five questions to Glen Brennan: on banking and Indigenous finance
(6 months later)
Each week, a new guest hosts the @IndigenousX twitter account to discuss topics of interest as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. In partnership with IndigenousX, we’re inviting its weekly host to tell us about who they are, what issues they’re passionate about, and what they have in store for us during their upcoming week.Each week, a new guest hosts the @IndigenousX twitter account to discuss topics of interest as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. In partnership with IndigenousX, we’re inviting its weekly host to tell us about who they are, what issues they’re passionate about, and what they have in store for us during their upcoming week.
Tell us about yourselfTell us about yourself
I was born and bred in Narrabri in northern NSW and I am proud member of I was born and bred in Narrabri in northern NSW and I am proud member of the Gomerio people. I’ve worked in the public service in Canberra and loved it. After completing a MBA from Melbourne Business School in 2005, I started working in the finance sector which is where I’ve been ever since. I’m currently the head of Indigenous finance and development at NAB.
the Gomerio people. I’ve worked in the
public service in Canberra and loved it.
After completing a MBA from Melbourne Business School in 2005, I started
working in the finance sector which is where I’ve been ever since. I’m
currently the head of Indigenous
finance and development at NAB.
I live in Melbourne, but my heart is in western NSW.I live in Melbourne, but my heart is in western NSW.
What do you plan on talking about on IndigenousX What do you plan on talking about on IndigenousX this week?
this week? I’m a banker, so it makes sense that I talk about money – who has got it, who doesn’t and who wants it. I love facts and figures, but that doesn’t have to be boring. I’m going to try to make it interesting and interactive because active participation in the economy remains pivotal to addressing Indigenous disadvantage.
I’m a banker, so it makes sense that I talk about Working in corporate Australia also has its opportunity and challenges. However, at least now corporate Australia has a seat at the closing the gap table. For government and Indigenous Australians it’s a welcome addition and it is important we recognise and acknowledge their work and encourage them to stay involved.
money – who has got it, who doesn’t and who wants it. I love facts and figures, but that doesn’t Having said that, I am aware that corporates need to be genuine in their commitments if they are going to make a real difference. NAB will launch our sixth Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) on Thursday, 20 February. We’re not unique in having a RAP but it remains the only RAP in Australia to be independently verified (by Ernst & Young). I hope this changes soon, with more corporates willing to stand by the commitments outlined in their plans.
have to be boring. I’m going to try to I’m also throwing down a challenge to grow the number of IndigenousX followers. I want to see more people engaging with IndigenousX as it’s a great opportunity to get more people engaging in issues important to our mob. I must confess that my motives aren’t purely selfless. My cousin Nathan Brennan hosted IndigenousX recently and let’s just say that getting more followers under my watch than he did would help fuel our friendly rivalry!
make it interesting and interactive because active participation in the economy What issue affecting Indigenous people do you think is most pressing?
remains pivotal to addressing Indigenous disadvantage. Having control of your finances is a practical way to have control of your life - that’s easier said than done.
Working in corporate Australia also has its The costs of living, finding and keeping a job, and making sure your kids are getting the most out of school remain a struggle for Indigenous Australians. Being able to navigate this new digital world where banking is done on-line or increasingly via your mobile phone is not just a financial problem, but a digital inclusion issue.
opportunity and challenges. However, Who are your role models, and why?
at least now corporate Australia has a seat at the closing the gap table. For government and Indigenous Australians That’s an easy one. I grew up in a house with Aboriginal parents who had jobs, a mortgage and believed wholeheartedly that education was essential. Both had humble beginnings but carved a life out for themselves and their family. They told me I could be whatever I wanted to be as long as I was prepared to work hard for it. While they are both not perfect, if I could be half as good a parent as them I’ll be very happy.
it’s a welcome addition and it is important we recognise and acknowledge their What are your hopes for the future?
work and encourage them to stay involved. I’d like a future where the opportunities for Indigenous kids are the same as the rest of Australia. Indigenous kids should have the same education, health and life outcomes that everyone else enjoys. As a father of three boys I reckon that is a very reasonable hope for the future.
Having said that, I am aware that corporates need to be genuine in their
commitments if they are going to make a real difference.
NAB will launch our sixth Reconciliation
Action Plan (RAP) on Thursday, 20 February. We’re not unique in having a RAP but
it remains the only RAP in Australia to be independently verified (by Ernst
& Young). I hope this changes soon, with more corporates willing to stand
by the commitments outlined in their plans.
I’m
also throwing down a challenge to grow the number of IndigenousX followers. I
want to see more people engaging with IndigenousX as it’s a great opportunity
to get more people engaging in issues important to our mob. I must confess that my motives aren’t purely
selfless. My cousin Nathan Brennan
hosted IndigenousX recently and let’s just say that getting more followers
under my watch than he did would help fuel our friendly rivalry!
What issue affecting Indigenous people do you think
is most pressing?
Having control of your
finances is a practical way to have control of your life - that’s easier said
than done.
The costs of living, finding
and keeping a job, and making sure your kids are getting the most out of school
remain a struggle for Indigenous Australians.
Being able to navigate this new digital world where banking is done
on-line or increasingly via your mobile phone is not just a financial problem,
but a digital inclusion issue.
Who are your role models, and
why?
That’s
an easy one. I grew up in a house with
Aboriginal parents who had jobs, a mortgage and believed wholeheartedly that education
was essential. Both had humble
beginnings but carved a life out for themselves and their family. They told me I could be whatever I wanted to
be as long as I was prepared to work hard for it. While they are both not perfect, if I could
be half as good a parent as them I’ll be very happy.
What are your hopes for the
future?
I’d
like a future where the opportunities for Indigenous kids are the same as the
rest of Australia. Indigenous kids
should have the same education, health and life outcomes that everyone else
enjoys. As a father of three boys I reckon
that is a very reasonable hope for the future.