Leading For Purpose
Our role is to bring the sector together, set shared priorities, and make sure community broadcasting has the leadership it needs for the future.
Culture & JEDI
CBAA staff live our values — Better Together, Work Smarter, Empower People, Member at the Centre — through a culture of service, innovation and accountability. Staff engagement is strong, and our people consistently report being happy at work.
A key initiative of our Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) strategy is the Observership Program, which introduces fresh perspectives to sector governance while building future leadership pathways. In 2025, Jack Crane, Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Boston Consulting Group, joined the CBAA Board as an Observer, gaining insight into the sector and contributing to Board discussions.
Governance evolution across the Group
The CBAA Group has matured into a more connected, strategic whole. By aligning governance processes, sharing resources and drawing on each organisation’s strengths, we’ve built a stronger platform for members and advocacy with one clear voice.
Roundtable impact
Jack Crane, CBAA Board Observer
Roundtable organisations
CBAA has brought together the major sector organisations — alongside the Community Broadcasting Foundation — for regular Roundtable meetings. These sessions create space for leadership, coordination and shared strategy.
This year, the Roundtable discussions achieved real alignment on issues such as digital delivery, journalism and diversity. Over the next two years, these conversations will help shape collective strategy and prepare the ground for a Sector Congress in 2027.
Alignment across Group:
Each part of the Group contributes to a bigger picture:
- LINA strengthens local news
- DMA amplifies disability voices
- Spots & Space builds income streams
- CBAA delivers national infrastructure and advocacy
Together, we address challenges and opportunities no single organisation could manage alone.
CBAA staff at the 2024 all staff workshop
Case Study
Our board is 50% male, 50% female with an age distribution of:
- 30% aged 25-39
- 40% aged 40-54
- 30% aged 55-64
Our employees are:
- 54% female
- 42% male
- 4% gender diverse
Our employees age distribution is:
- 10% aged 24 & below
- 48% aged 25-39
- 27% aged 40-54
- 2% aged 65 & above
Embedding JEDI principles at the CBAA
Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) are not standalone initiatives at the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia. They’re central to how we lead, support our members, and shape the future of community broadcasting.
Our JEDI Action Plan sets out systemic goals that drive change in training, leadership, employment, engagement, programming, and marketing. These principles are embedded into our governance, policies, and partnerships to ensure every decision we make reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.
We are committed to:
- Developing a Reconciliation Action Plan, Disability Action Plan, and Inclusive Recruitment Plan
- Establishing succession and mentorship frameworks to support future leaders
- Embedding JEDI objectives into operational planning, onboarding, and content strategy
- Conducting regular policy reviews, updating training KPIs, and applying inclusive marketing guidelines
A key governance milestone has been the continued development of the CBAA Board’s commitment to inclusion. Now in its second year, the Board Observership Program provides opportunities for emerging leaders from underrepresented communities to gain experience and contribute to Board discussions. Alongside this, ongoing JEDI training for both Board and staff ensures decision-making across the organisation is informed by shared understanding and inclusive practice. Inclusive recruitment practices, from language updates in job ads to outreach through diverse media networks, are now standard in all hiring.
Ongoing JEDI training for both Board and staff ensures decision-making across the organisation is informed by shared understanding and inclusive practice
Our commitment extends to authentic content creation. A team of political reporters with lived experience now report from Parliament House, ensuring coverage of issues affecting First Nations people, people with disability, and young Australians with depth and authority.
These actions have strengthened leadership pathways, supported genuine representation in media coverage, and deepened collaboration with partners such as the National Indigenous Radio Service (NIRS), Koori Mail, Disability Media Australia, and Powerd Media.
Our JEDI Action Plan builds on the CBAA’s Diversity Policy and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Policy, embedding measurable inclusion goals within our governance systems. Progress is reviewed annually, ensuring accountability for diversity outcomes, leadership pathways, and equitable workplace practices. This alignment ensures JEDI is not a standalone initiative, it’s integrated into how CBAA governs, measures impact, and strengthens the sector.
Looking ahead, we will:
- Launch station-level JEDI training models and resource directories
- Formalise succession planning and mentorship frameworks
- Finalise our RAP and develop our DAP
- Embed JEDI objectives into all new projects and services
- Measure and evaluate our impact to track long-term progress
CBAA’s approach ensures JEDI is not an add-on but a foundation, guiding how we govern, tell stories, and build a more inclusive community broadcasting sector.
CBAA Data & Insights Manager Lisa Hunt at a staff workshop
CBAA staff Heidi Martin, Diana Burnett and Jon Bisset