Next week marks National Reconciliation Week 2019, with a program of events and activities being held in all states and territories to commemorate two significant milestones in our country’s reconciliation journey - the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision respectively. As well as being a time to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, National Reconciliation Week is an opportunity to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

In consultation with our Indigenous Issues Committee, the Law Society of NSW has recently developed a resource for solicitors working with Indigenous clients, to provide guidance on developing and delivering practical and culturally appropriate legal services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In addition, we have partnered with the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce to deliver an Indigenous Enterprise Legal Assistance (IELA) scheme aimed at providing free legal assistance to eligible Indigenous enterprises. Members may also be interested in the Supply Nation website, which houses Australia’s leading database of verified Indigenous businesses including legal services.

We note the re-election of the Morrison-led Coalition Government on the weekend and look forward to working with the yet-to-be appointed Attorney General to address key priorities for legal reform, including Indigenous justice.

The Law Society is committed to advocating for the protection and promotion of the rights of Indigenous people in NSW, and in providing opportunities for the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait individuals and communities to be heard by governments and other institutions.

It is a source of national shame that while 2.8 per cent of the Australian population identifies as Indigenous, Indigenous people make up 27 per cent of the prison population. The figures are not dissimilar in NSW. This disproportionate and escalating rate of Indigenous incarceration is a national crisis that requires a comprehensive response from all levels of government, underpinned by Indigenous community empowerment and principles of self-determination.

To date, neither the Australian Government nor State and Territory Governments have formally responded to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s Pathways to Justice - Inquiry into the Incarceration Rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Report (released in March 2018), which provides a blueprint to address the over-representation of Indigenous people in prison. This response needs to be driven by the Federal Government, backed by increased funding, with NSW and other State and Territory governments following suit.

On another note,  congratulations to LegalVison’s Dhanu Eliezer, the winner of the 2019 NSW Golden Gavel competition. Dhanu took out the coveted award in front of around 800 members of the legal profession last Friday with her speech on “The person really in charge isn’t the Managing Partner, it’s…”. As one audience member pointed out, Dhanu’s speech delivered an important message on diversity, with just the right mix of humour and panache. Dhanu will now go onto represent NSW at the National Golden Gavel competition.

Elizabeth Espinosa, Law Society President

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