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Reflections from the National Indigenous Legal Conference

A number of our staff recently attended the National Indigenous Legal Conference in Sydney and reflected and learnt from leading practitioners, scholars and activists about Indigenous law and legal issues.

Published:
Thursday 9 November 2023 at 10:46 pm

Our Director, First Nations Services, Ashley Morris has hit the ground running in his first week with us, attending the National Indigenous Law Conference in Sydney with fellow First Nations colleagues Alethea Belford, Kye Hardie and Simone Lim.

The conference aimed to connect with Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples and encouraged them to reflect and learn from leading practitioners, scholars and activists about Indigenous law and legal issues.

Ashley enjoyed the conference as ‘it was a wonderful opportunity to hear from others about working in the legal sector, and particularly through a First Nations lens.

‘It was also great to catch up with Legal Aid NSW First Nations staff and get a feel for the way they run their programs, and it’s clear that a cross-state Koori staff network conference would benefit our staff and communities more broadly,’ he said.

The conference was timely with the launch of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2023–25(opens in a new window), which embodies our continued commitment to reconciliation and justice for First Nations people.

We remain committed to prioritising and achieving better outcomes for First Nations people in the legal system and improving their access to justice by following the lead, expertise and solutions of First Nations people themselves.

As for what he’s looking forward to achieving with us, Ashley has big plans.

‘The Koori Cultural Capability Framework project and the expansion of the Aboriginal community engagement officer program are two projects I have been involved with externally to Victoria Legal Aid, and I am excited to continue the work of our previous First Nations associate directors.

And of course, I’m particularly keen to progress the practical implantation of our newly launched, third Reconciliation Action Plan,’ he said.

More information

Read more at Reconciliation Action Plan(opens in a new window) 

Read more at New director First Nations Services appointed(opens in a new window)

Updated