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Australian Legacy and Leadership Tour 3-6 February 2026, Wangal & Gadigal Country/ Sydney
Photos: Provided by CEDA
On Thursday, 5 February 2026, the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA), in partnership with CareerTrackers, today hosted a landmark panel discussion and luncheon at PwC Australia, bringing together national and global leaders to confront the urgent need for greater Indigenous representation in Australia’s economic leadership.
The event featured Martin Luther King III, global humanitarian and civil rights leader, alongside an esteemed panel including The Hon Linda Burney, former Minister for Indigenous Australians; Melinda Cilento, Chief Executive of CEDA; Renee Wootton Tomlin, CEO of New Era Energy; Ben Wyatt, former Western Australian Treasurer and the first Indigenous board director of an ASX100 company and Adam Davids, CEO and Managing Director of CareerTrackers.
The discussion highlighted a stark and confronting reality: First Nations Australians currently hold just 0.4 per cent of senior leadership roles nationally, with only four board seats across ASX200 companies. Panellists emphasised that this underrepresentation is not a question of aspiration or capability, but the result of long-standing structural barriers that limit access to opportunity, networks and pathways to leadership.
Martin Luther King III underscored the economic imperative for change, noting that diversity and inclusion are fundamental drivers of performance and innovation.
As Martin Luther King III reminded us:
“Diversity is not an obligation; it is a competitive advantage. Inclusive companies outperform because they draw on a wider range of ideas, experiences and perspectives. In the United States, when doors opened for African Americans and other minorities to fully participate in the workforce, it didn’t just change lives, it transformed industries, sparked innovation and strengthened the economy. Australia has the same opportunity; by unlocking Indigenous talent and leadership, the country can fuel growth, expand markets and build a society where prosperity is shared. This is not just the right thing to do – it is the smart thing to do for our collective future.”
Panellists echoed this message, calling on business, government and community leaders to move beyond discussion and commit to tangible action. Central to this call was the need to build inclusive leadership pipelines that support First Nations Australians from early career stages through to executive and board-level roles.
CEDA Chief Executive Melinda Cilento highlighted that inclusive leadership is critical to Australia’s long-term productivity and governance, while CareerTrackers CEO Adam Davids reinforced the importance of sustained partnerships between education, industry and community to unlock Indigenous talent at scale.
Together, CEDA and CareerTrackers are urging organisations across all sectors to act now — not only to address inequity, but to strengthen Australia’s economy by fully harnessing the leadership potential of First Nations Australians.
The tour is centred on CareerTrackers’ Leadership Development Institute (LDI), which brings together Indigenous students and alumni from across the country. From 4 to 6 February, Martin Luther King III will deliver keynote addresses during the program.
