Adam Thompson, Director at Homes NSW, says you can’t bulldoze through Australia’s housing crisis—you need people at the heart of every decision.

Homes aren’t just buildings. They hold memories, connections, and shape entire communities. That’s why listening to those in social housing is central to his work.

Adam’s a proud “social housing kid” and stays connected to his roots—he knows firsthand how often tenants don’t feel heard, and he wants to shift that.

True engagement isn’t just a box-ticking exercise or defensively keeping “future complaints” at bay. It’s about actually learning from lived experience and letting it shape policy.

He insists that if you’re not honestly seeking input, don’t call it “engagement.” Call it consultation or a briefing—communities deserve clarity and honesty.

Building trust is about “yarn at the front, business at the back”: have real conversations before getting down to the practicalities. Genuine relationships make all the difference.

One-size-fits-all approaches don’t work. Every community is unique, so how you engage should fit their local needs. Sometimes it’s big town halls, sometimes it’s small group conversations.

Engagement helps people see their ideas brought to life, whether via improved services, safer design, or simply being listened to. That pride and ownership are real.

Leaders need to front up, communicate clearly, and handle tough conversations with conviction and authenticity. Trust comes from consistency and genuine care—not spin.

Homes NSW is embedding tenant involvement at all levels, investing in participation teams, and making engagement a sustained presence, not just a reaction to complaints.

Being honest about what’s possible, learning from Aboriginal engagement principles, and owning both wins and failures are all part of how real change happens.

At the end of the day, Adam reminds us: it’s not just about homes, it’s about people, memories, and the fabric of communities. That’s what real progress looks like.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kuyan and Sean form Impact Policy dive deep into lateral violence and anti racism, below is an outline of some of the topics they navigate together

2. Lateral Violence: Definitions and Prevalence

• Description of lateral violence and its recurring presence in various sectors and work environments
• Emphasis on the lack of nuanced understanding of the root causes
• Encouragement to view the issue at both surface and systemic levels

3. Root Causes and Systemic Issues

• Connection to colonization and genocide as foundational drivers of lateral violence
• Dismantling the myth that lateral violence is an “Aboriginal-only” issue
• Examination of environmental and systemic factors enabling lateral violence to persist
• Comparison with experiences in other marginalized communities globally

4. Understanding and Misunderstanding the Issue

• Noting that most people can give examples but lack depth in understanding origins and systemic components
• The role of non-Aboriginal systems and practices in perpetuating lateral violence
• Discussion of reactive versus proactive responses: addressing symptoms vs. tackling root causes

5. Difficulties Addressing Lateral Violence

• Tendency to address the issue at the individual level without systemic change
• Analogy: treating symptoms without curing the infection
• Challenges faced by non-Indigenous people in engaging with lateral violence due to lack of systemic understanding and fear

6. The Nuances and Workplace Triggers

• Importance of addressing both systemic and individual levels
• Non-Indigenous reluctance to get involved, and its consequences
• Workplace examples: “advice shopping,” elevation of some Aboriginal voices over others, recruitment and competition triggers
• Impact of lack of transparency in recruitment and funding decisions

7. Personal Experiences and Emotional Impact

• Sharing of personal and collective experiences of lateral violence within government and community
• Emotional toll: when lateral violence follows individuals home and permeates personal life and community connections
• Unique burdens experienced by Aboriginal people navigating workplace and community pressures

9. Transparency, Integrity, and Leadership

• Lack of transparency in decision-making as a systemic contributor
• The societal pattern in Australia of narrative control and withholding information
• The link between integrity, leadership, and willingness to be transparent

10. Cultural Dynamics, Elevation, and Diversity

• Problems with elevating individual voices or “leaders” over the diversity within communities
• Homogenization—misunderstanding of the multiplicity of Aboriginal experiences and viewpoints
• Tension arising from mismatches between workplace/sectoral elevation and community status

11. Conflict and Accountability

• Distinction between healthy conflict and lateral violence
• Traditional strengths of Aboriginal communities in conflict management and resolution
• Seeking accountability vs. tearing down individuals
• Reflection on how social and professional settings can foster unhealthy conflict compared to traditional or community-based resolution

12. Language and Concepts: ‘Staunch’, Anger, and Misapplied Strength

13. Systemic Pressures and Double Standards

14. Practical Solutions and Advice

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode: Transforming Systems from Within – A Conversation with Paul O’Reilly

Recorded on Bidjigal Country, this episode sees Paul O’Reilly (Deputy Secretary, NSW DCJ) join Sam Johnson and Kuyan Mitchell to tackle the big questions around community, justice, and leadership in the public sector.

We dig into the realities of youth justice and out of home care, focusing on the systemic overrepresentation of Aboriginal young people. Paul draws on his diverse background—from youth worker to senior leader—to explore what it means to lead with integrity, the necessity of sharing decision-making power, and how genuine reform requires both humility and practical action.

Whether you’re a policymaker, community advocate, or practitioner on the ground, this conversation offers hard-won lessons, inspiration, and real hope for change.

Key Topics:

• Paul O'Reilly’s personal journey from Ireland to frontline youth work in Sydney and 27 years in the public sector
• The realities and overrepresentation of Aboriginal youth in care and justice systems
• Systemic and institutional racism: recognition, impacts, and strategies for change
• Why sharing decision-making power and bringing community voices to the centre is essential
• The complexities of achieving systems reform inside government silos
• Opportunities for funding and supporting Aboriginal-led organisations and social enterprises
• Leadership lessons: humility, vulnerability, and championing lived experience
• Personal stories of post-traumatic growth and the ongoing connection to frontline practice
• Hopeful trends and what excites Paul about the future of the sector

Quotable Moments:

• “Statutory systems need to be as small as possible—kids and families should only have contact when necessary.”
• “Humility is an enormous strength if you actually want to make progress... it’s about modelling behaviour.”
• “It’s a white system full of black kids. And unless you’re willing to acknowledge that impact, you shouldn’t be in the system.”

Additional Resources:

• Acknowledgement of Country: This episode was recorded on Bidjigal Country and honours Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Learn more about Impact Policy
• Connect/Contact: To partner, collaborate, or learn more, email samjohnson@impactpolicyau.com or follow us on LinkedIn

Support & Community

If you valued this episode, please share it with your networks, leave a review, and help us spread practical learnings and stories that matter.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Sean and Kuyan along with Sam as they dive into the latest episode of the Impact Policy Podcast and together unpack key takeaways from the National Planning Congress in Darwin. Tune in for sharp insights on Aboriginal communities, planning, and community-led change.

Here's what you'll hear about in this episode:

First-hand reflections on the National Planning Institute of Australia Congress, including the growing presence of Aboriginal voices in the sector

The critical role of planning systems in both historical dispossession and empowering future land rights and cultural heritage

Real-world legacy issues still felt by Aboriginal communities due to past planning policies—plus examples of ongoing practical challenges

The importance of co-design, centering Aboriginal voices, and shifting from tokenistic engagement to genuine power-sharing in policy

Standout initiatives, case studies, and award-winning projects leading the way for culturally responsive planning in Australia

Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, and share if you find value in these discussions!

Impact Policy Podcast, Aboriginal communities, planning sector, National Planning Congress, cultural heritage, land rights, co design, community development, legacy issues, social policy, country, colonisation, planning system, native title, agency, country outcomes, community voice, infrastructure, social change, truth telling, co design principles, planning with country, policy, sector reform, impact, Roads to Home, Cumberland Plains, Knowledge Circle

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Episode of the Impact policy podcast, Sam Johnson sits down with Terri Janke, a celebrated leader in Indigenous cultural and intellectual property (ICIP). Terri shares her passion for empowering First Nations people through arts, culture, and business.

00:00 "ICIP Insights with Terry Janky"

07:36 From Law to Arts Activism

13:26 Copyright Triumph in Aboriginal Art

21:44 Indigenous Cultural Rights Advocacy

26:38 "True Tracks: Indigenous Cultural Integrity"

30:33 True Tracks: Multidisciplinary Collaborative Pathways

33:07 ICIP Empowering Aboriginal Staff

38:23 Aboriginal Staff Accountability Challenges

48:04 Collective Contract Negotiation Strategies

53:01 Repatriation and Community Investment Focus

56:25 Navigating ICIP Disputes Locally

01:03:01 Aboriginal Language Preservation Framework

01:09:32 "Trauma-Informed Strengths-Based Approach"

01:13:00 "Respect and Responsibility for Knowledge"

01:16:33 Guest Appreciation and Contact Info

Here are some keywords for this episode: Indigenous cultural and intellectual property, ICIP, True Tracks framework, Terri Janke, First Nations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, intellectual property rights, copyright law, social justice, cultural heritage, consent, empowerment, knowledge management, community engagement, cultural safety, legal gaps, indigenous knowledge, cultural continuity.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Guest Jared Wheatley in this episode of the Impact Policy Podcast as they dive into the complexities of the out of home care system. Discover the challenges and potential solutions for creating a more connected and relational approach to care.

Exploration of Jared Wheatley's 17-year journey in the social sector and his focus on youth work

Discussion on the systemic issues causing relational deprivation for children in care

Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on transforming the child protection system into a more supportive and human-centered child connection system.

00:00 Transforming Out-of-Home Care System

10:16 "Paradigm Shift for Systemic Change"

12:37 Lack of Care in Community Support

17:46 "Reflections on the Stolen Generation"

23:17 Reimagining Justice Investment

31:49 Advocacy for Families in Crisis

35:41 Build Supportive Adult Networks

39:18 Rethinking Community Care Models

44:03 Redefining Success: Community Impact

49:32 "Building Genuine Human Connections"

58:31 Celebrating Resilience in Overcoming Adversity

01:00:15 Empowerment for Survivors

Impact Policy, podcast, Jesse Robinson, Jared Wheatley, Aboriginal land, social change, youth work, out of home care, child protection, relational care, system change, cultural connection, government, social policy, community support, trauma-informed care, child connection system, restoration, lived experience, systemic barriers, co-design, evaluation, practitioner advice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Delve into a conversation with Kyan Mitchell, a senior consultant at Impact Policy, as he shares his insightful journey and perspectives from the youth justice sector.

• Kyan's unexpected entry into the justice sector and his professional journey.
• The role of cultural programs in rehabilitation and identity building.
• The significance and challenges of place-based initiatives and decision-making.
• Overcoming the complexities of power sharing in public sector collaborations.
• Evaluating success and impact from a community-centered perspective.

00:00 Interview with Kyan Mitchell

04:32 Recruiting Indigenous Staff Effectively

08:12 "Reimagining Justice Systems"

11:24 Courageous Leadership in Public Sector

15:53 Prison Mentoring and Cultural Activities

16:32 Community and Cultural Disconnect

21:39 "Access Challenges in Public Programs"

25:48 Long-Term Investment in Cultural Work

28:22 "Community-Led Consistent Action"

31:19 "Joining Aboriginal Strategic Unit Journey"

35:00 Building Confidence for Community Engagement

40:01 Minimizing Aboriginal Voices

41:37 Reflecting on Community Consultation Silence

44:57 "Power Sharing for Better Outcomes"

49:03 Empowering Procurement for Impact

53:31 Redefining Impact Metrics in Communities

55:33 Collaborative Success and Community Agency

To access Kuyans thought leadership follow Impact Policy and read his recent article on sharing power works here

Impact Policy Podcast, youth justice, Kyan Mitchell, cultural programs, Aboriginal community, co-design, power sharing, public sector, decision-making, decolonizing justice, Indigenous identity, cultural access, regional vs urban perspectives, community leadership, tendering, procurement, strategic policy, government systems, cultural integration, community support, collaboration, public sector challenges, cultural significance, identity building.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.