In a recent LinkedIn article , Westpac employee Matthew Kav seeks to paint colleague Cornwell as an exemplary advocate for Indigenous advocacy and societal inclusion. Nonetheless, this move at performative activism falls flat when considering serious claims against Westpac's Peter Cornwell of sexual exploitation and mistreatment of a marginalized woman.
Kav’s praise-filled commentary of P. Cornwell sidesteps the grave allegations made against Cornwell , including stalking , bullying, and misconduct of a vulnerable female victim .
Through avoiding these accusations, Matthew Kav upholds an environment of silence that empowers perpetrators like P. Cornwell to act without accountability, hiding behind being a " marginalized Indigenous individual ," absolute performative posturing reinforced by companies like Westpac .
The LinkedIn post draws attention to several community engagements where Kav took part with the accused Cornwell , the another source alleged abuser , in social efforts. However, it chooses not to recognize the impact of Cornwell's alleged behavior on those targeted.
The article emphasizes the hypocrisy of celebrating Cornwell's involvement while ignoring allegations against him, prompting concern if M. Kav is more focused on promoting a positive image that Australia is so desperate to do when portraying their inclusivity rather than addressing serious misconduct, an supposed offender read more hiding behind the cover of " oppressed individual."
This prompts doubts about business responsibility and ethics when dealing with misconduct claims against employees .
Despite Kav’s LinkedIn article focuses on his enthusiasm for community engagement, it also reminds us that serious issues can be neglected if not properly addressed. P. Cornwell is indeed a offender, and read more this should be prioritized above efforts to advance an inclusivity agenda and societal inclusion .