InBrief

Governance

On 29 January 2018, the President announced Bar Council’s decision to resolve to establish the First Nations Committee of the NSW Bar Association. The President is pleased to announce the full membership of the First Nations Committee is as follows:

• Tony McAvoy SC (Chair)
• Chris Ronalds AO SC
• Ms Janet Manuell SC
• Kara Shead SC
• Susan Phillips
• Simeon Beckett
• Andrew Smith
• Vanessa Bosnjak
• Lisa-Claire Hutchinson
• Damian Beaufils
• Sian McGee
• Andrew Boe
• Jeni Engel (Academic)

The Committee’s charter is to:

1. To represent the NSW Bar Association and its members on legal policy and practice issues relating to First Nations and First Nations people including:

a) reviewing policies and procedures for the Bar Council and NSW Bar Association to ensure First Nations and First Nations peoples’ perspective are considered where relevant; b) advocating for the rights of First Nations and First Nations people on systemic issues of policy such as Indigenous incarceration, discrimination and the impact of domestic violence on First Nations communities.

1. To encourage and support First Nations people to consider a career in the law and at the Bar;
2. To support First Nations people who are members of the profession;
3. To organise educational seminars for members regarding issues relating to First Nations affairs;
4. To develop and monitor the implementation of the Association’s Reconciliation Action Plan; and
5. To provide advice to Bar Council on matters relating to First Nations affairs as required.