The scale of Australia’s agricultural, water, and environmental challenges - like waste, declining biodiversity, drought and flood demand a multi-stakeholder approach. Challenges like these require system changes, a range of capabilities and re-thinking of our roles to share stewardship.
Industry, the corporate sector, financial institutions, community and Indigenous organisations, researchers, philanthropy and government all bring unique value to solving complex challenges like these. By partnering we can bring more ideas, expertise, innovation and flexibility to the table and better coordinate and align public and private efforts.
All sectors, including us as government, continue to have core roles and responsibilities. Partnering allows us to complement these efforts, to innovate and boost the scale of our collective impact.
What we mean by partnering
When we talk about partnering, we mean collaborative relationships where partners work together to help achieve common objectives. Partnering arrangements should be fit-for-purpose to create additional environmental, social, cultural and economic value. They are about mobilising the unique value and resources that partners bring, whether these be financial or non-financial, to solve problems and achieve outcomes.
The value of partnering
Each sector brings unique value to solving complex problems. There are some of the strengths different sectors can bring to the table as a partner.
- Indigenous organisations and communities bring deep connection to and knowledge of Country; Indigenous ecological knowledge; community networks; partnering strengths; and on-ground delivery and access to land.
- Researchers and academia bring international and national networks; data, information and knowledge; analytical expertise; cross-disciplinary experts and trusted voices; and capability to test and refine new ideas.
- Business brings data and data insights; market and purchasing power; supply chain relationships; communication expertise; research and development capability; marketing expertise; and risk management.
- Governments bring networks across industries and regions; communication channels; information, data, research capability and analytical expertise; facilitation and convening power; strategic planning, policy and program resources; regulatory power; credibility and strong governance.
- Not-for-profit organisations bring relationships and broad networks; people power; community trust, credibility and local knowledge; partnering and on-ground delivery knowledge and experience.
- Philanthropy brings networks; trust, credibility and longevity; risk appetite; innovation and agility; diversity; and capacity to leverage investment and impact.