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Gregory Phillips established ABSTARR in 2007 to lead change.

CHANGE

We lead change by facilitating transformational growth in culturally safe environments.

For example, we are working with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to ensure 670 000 health professionals understand and enact their roles in patient safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

EXCELLENCE

We deliver excellence in strategic thought leadership, critical analysis and communications.

For example, we are working with the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet to ensure self-determination for Aboriginal peoples is real and respectful as they begin steps to negotiating a treaty with the First Peoples.

CLARITY

We bring clarity and confidence to those who want to deliver better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

For example, we are working with the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak Ltd to ensure their strategic vision is realised.

What problem do we solve?

Many groups have taken positive steps towards inclusion in service delivery (eg Indigenous flags and artwork, RAPs, employment strategies & NAIDOC Week activities), yet many organisations and programs are still not producing excellence.

We help you understand the structural and human factors at work in your organisation by using the best evidence, razor-sharp analysis and crystal clear strategic thinking to get you optimal results.

ABSTARR guarantees a professional approach at all times, is a 100% Aboriginal owned and operated consulting business, and is certified with Supply Nation.

Outcomes

Some of the recent outcomes achieved by ABSTARR include:

Producing a strong definition and rationale for self-determination in Korin Korin Balit-Djak – the new Victorian Aboriginal Health, Wellbeing and Safety Strategy
Clarifying the thinking of the Queensland Department of Communities and the Department of Attorney General in relation to issues of cultural safety, whiteness, and power-sharing
Working with the professions of medicine, nursing, psychology, dentistry and others to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is addressed in curricula, training and accreditation
Facilitating Griffith University’s strategic plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in their medical courses
Development of The Australia Health Practitioner Regulation Agency’s Statement of Intent

See the results page for a full list of the change ABSTARR Consulting leads.

Jump up and travel with the light…

“In the dreaming, before there was any light, two young fellas were walking along in the dark. One decided to stay in the dark, and one chose to jump up and travel with the light. That’s you… shooting star. You decided to jump up and travel with the light.”

Uncle Arthur Peterson, Waanyi Elder, 1990

"Greg was a fantastic facilitator for our work. He encouraged and elicited strong engagement from participants in both large and small forums, and was able to expertly guide a range of discussions on complex and sensitive material."

Martin Rocks
Director, Indigenous Health Division
Commonwealth Department of Health

"Greg, you were superb... You brought a splendid mix of expert knowledge, empathy, and the ability to listen. You also handled the Q&A sessions with the panels extremely well, and kept the conversation at the right respect-based level. I look forward to our next opportunity to meet."

His Excellency Paul Maddison
High Commission of Canada

"Australia should listen to impressive and strong Aboriginal younger leaders and scientists like Gregory Phillips"

Emeritus Professor Fiona Stanley
The University of Western Australia and former Australian of the Year

"A remarkable…and talented thinker and writer in the field."

Dr Jackie Huggins
Congress of Australia’s First Peoples

"Thank you for your presentation at the Koori Justice Forum last week. It was so powerful, and just gave us all a bigger view and slightly different language for what we're all trying to do. It really opened our eyes."

Aunty Lois Peeler
Principal, Worawa Aboriginal College and Chair, Eastern Metro Koori Justice Advisory Committee

"Every medical school dean globally should read this thesis."

Professor John O’Neil
Dean of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Canada from the examiner’s report for Gregory’s Phd thesis

"Post Senior Leaders Forum I have heard from so many people that yours was the most influential and important talk of any SLF. It’s started so many conversations!"

Stacey Giles
Principal Executive Officer (Cultural Capability)
Queensland Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services

"We support Gregory as a leading expert in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander curricula development and inter-professional education… He is also a nationally recognised advocate on racism, cultural safety and diversity with professional and personal investment in everything he does…. IAHA highly recommends Abstarr to any stakeholder who wants to invest in a highly skilled, knowledgeable, respected and experienced consultancy that truly values the cultural, spiritual, physical, emotional and social factors that influence their work to ensure sustainable successful outcomes."

Donna Murray 
CEO, Indigenous Allied Health Australia

"Thank you Greg for your outstanding facilitation of our planning retreat. You guided us superbly in our deep thinking and strategic discussions about self-determination, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges, transformational paradigms, values, cultural safety, and addressing racism and white privilege."

Professor Andrew Gunstone
Executive Director, Moondani Toombadool Centre, Swinburne University

"Just wanted to also say your answer on why it's ok to call people black and white was outstanding! So clear and to the point."

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Webinar

"Just thank you for fantastic and brave and honest talk. Really excellent."

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Webinar

"Found the presentation thought provoking, and most informative."

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Webinar