RAP Update: Draft LIV RAP Framework and Statement of Vision
Following initial consultations, the LIV RAP working group has developed a draft Statement of Vision (pdf) and draft RAP framework (pdf) and has used these documents as a basis for discussions with Aboriginal organisations.
The draft Statement of Vision (pdf) aims to reflect the unique position of the LIV as the peak representative body for lawyers in Victoria. The draft has been prepared based on a series of discussions with a number of members of the Victorian Aboriginal community, where the LIV has listened and taken note. It also represents a commitment to continuing and evolving conversations into the future.
The draft RAP framework (pdf) is intended to provide a clear overview of the areas of activity and influence in which the LIV will commit to action to promote reconciliation. The framework provides three ‘reconciliation pathways’, which have been identified as priority areas by the RAP Working Group:
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Education to Qualification;
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Access to Justice; and
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Cultural Awareness.
Each reconciliation pathway has been divided into ‘sub-topics’ according to issues raised during LIV consultations.
The LIV hopes to finalise its RAP by mid-2012, but has been continuing to build Indigenous content and approaches into our activities. Contact Laura Helm on
lhelm@liv.asn.au if you would like to get involved or provide feedback.
Indigenous Opportunities List
Legal practitioners wishing to help Indigenous Australians now have an LIV-created list to help point them in the right direction. The list, featured in the March 2011 edition of the LIJ, promotes more than 20 organisations run by – or that work closely with – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) communities. The LIV hopes this initiative will encourage lawyers and law firms to engage with ATSI people and communities in a variety of ways that will ultimately help promote education for young people. This is the latest development in the LIV’s work towards reconciliation.
View the Directory (pdf).
Law Institute of Victoria Reconciliation Action Plan
In 2010, the LIV publicly committed to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to help ‘close the gap’ between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians and build meaningful relationships with Victoria’s Aboriginal communities.
View More Information on the LIV's RAP.
View Media Release, ‘Law Institute to Develop Reconciliation Action Plan’.
View LIJ Article, ‘Becoming a Part of the Solution’.
LIV RAP Working Group
The LIV Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group is a joint working group of the Administrative Law and Human Rights and Young Lawyers Sections and is responsible for the development, oversight of implementation and evaluation of the LIV’s RAP. The RAP working group welcomes new members who have an interest in and commitment to Aboriginal related issues in Australia.
How to become a member
LIV members who are interested in joining the RAP working group can email an expression of interest which briefly outlines your experience and/or interest in Aboriginal related issues to Julia Strickett, Paralegal for the LIV Administrative Law and Human Rights Section, at jstrickett@liv.asn.au. If you would like more information on the working group or any other matter relating to the LIV’s RAP, please call (03) 9607 9489.
View RAP Working Group Terms of Reference (pdf).
LIV Policy Statements
In 2006, the LIV developed the ‘Indigenous Australians in the Legal Profession and Justice System’ (pdf) policy statement which aims to provide a framework for the LIV to contribute to the sustainable reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and non-Aboriginal Australians.
In 2009, the LIV introduced Australia's first equal opportunity briefing policy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander barristers.
View the Indigenous Australians in the Legal Profession and Justice System Policy (pdf).
View the Indigenous Equal Opportunity Briefing Policy (pdf).
View Indigenous barristers at the Victorian Bar.
Indigenous Issues and Aboriginal Reconciliation Committee
Members of the Administrative Law and Human Rights Section are eligible to apply for membership of the Indigenous Issues and Aboriginal Reconciliation Committee.
View More Information on the LIV’s Indigenous Issues and Aboriginal Reconciliation Committee.
LIV Aboriginal Scholarship
Since 2008, the LIV has offered an annual scholarship to be awarded to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander law student to fund their Practical Legal Training with the College of Law. The successful applicant may enrol in the College of Law course any time up to 12 months of the student receiving the notification.
Applications closed for 2011 on Friday, 11 February 2011 at 5.00pm (regrettably no late applications will be accepted).
View More Information on the Scholarship (pdf).
LIJ Coverage of Aboriginal Issues
The LIJ has published a number of articles on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander related issues in Victoria.
A full list of the award-winning LIJ articles on this topic appears below:
LIJ 2011
March 2011 LIJ, p26-30
LIJ 2010
December 2010 LIJ, p 26
LIJ 2008
August 2008 LIJ, p18-31
July 2008 LIJ, p33
June 2008 LIJ, p31-32
June 2008 LIJ, p15
LIJ’s highly commended award in the 2008 Legal Reporting Awards for the series of articles in the August 2007 LIJ on under-representation of Aboriginal people in the Victorian legal profession.
June 2008 LIJ, p14
April 2008 LIJ, p21-24
Jan/Feb 2008 LIJ, p25-28
Jan/Feb 2008 LIJ, p24
LIJ 2007
November 2007 LIJ, pp11-12
October 2007 LIJ, pp20-23
October 2007 LIJ, p10
September 2007 LIJ, p18-21
September 2007 LIJ, p8-9
August 2007 LIJ, pp18-34
LIV Submissions
The LIV has made a variety of submission on Aboriginal-related issues.
View LIV submissions – (Sort by Area of Law: Administrative Law and Human Rights).