Acknowledgement of Country and Commitment to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC)

At Hawk Logistics, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters we now call Australia. We pay our respects to their elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We recognise their enduring connection to Country, culture, and community and are committed to promoting respectful and meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities.

This document signifies Hawk Logistics’ commitment to engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to ensure that their Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) is obtained before undertaking any activity that may impact their rights, lands, resources, territories, livelihoods, or cultural heritage.

As a company operating across Australia, Hawk Logistics is committed to ethical, sustainable, and responsible business practices. Our approach to FPIC aligns with international human rights standards, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and Australia’s legal and cultural commitments to Indigenous communities.

As part of our commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices, we uphold the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). This ensures that before starting any activity that may affect the rights, lands, resources, territories, livelihoods, or food security of Indigenous peoples or local communities, we engage in a transparent, inclusive, and respectful consultation process to ensure their voices are heard and respected.

Hawk Logistics recognises that obtaining FPIC is not just a legal or procedural requirement but a fundamental principle of respect and meaningful partnership. It ensures that our operations do not proceed without the voluntary and informed agreement of Indigenous communities who may be affected by our work.

Hawk Logistics adopts the definition of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), from United Nations ¹

• Free – Consent must be given voluntarily, without coercion, intimidation, or undue influence. Communities must self-direct the consultation process without externally imposed expectations or timelines.
• Prior – Consent must be sought well in advance of any approvals, planning, or project commencement, allowing time for informed discussions and decision-making.
• Informed – Communities must receive all relevant information in an accessible and culturally appropriate manner, including details on the potential impacts, risks, benefits, and alternatives of the proposed activity.
• Consent – The decision must be collective, reached through the customary governance and decision-making processes of the affected Indigenous communities. FPIC is not a one-time event but an ongoing process of dialogue and engagement.

¹ This is a widely used definition of FPIC that comes from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations

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