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Neil, Laura --- "President's page: What you can do for the ALA" [2017] PrecedentAULA 39; (2017) 141 Precedent 3


WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THE ALA

By Laura Neil

As I sit to write my first President’s Page as incoming President, I admit to feeling somewhat daunted by the prospect, given the tremendous efforts of my predecessors, and the enormous shoes I have to fill. I also feel immensely proud and privileged to have been given this opportunity. I will do my best to represent the ALA – to represent you, our members – in protecting and promoting the rights and freedoms of individuals, as our ethos prescribes.

I was fortunate to have been able to return to Cairns nine years ago to continue to practice what I love. I spent the first 13 years of my career working in Brisbane and South-East Queensland, which gave me the benefit of having worked and lived in both a city and a regional centre. The regional voice is important to me, and one that I will continue to encourage throughout my presidency. The world is getting smaller. With the provision of webinars, teleconferencing and regional CLE programs, the ALA is improving its reach to regional members. I have already travelled to Perth and Darwin to re-engage our members in those areas, with both trips resulting not only in increased membership and committee involvement, but perhaps more importantly, re-invigoration of our members by re-assuring them that the ALA is here to represent all of you. However, in order to best engage with our regional members, we need regional involvement. I therefore call particularly upon those of our members outside of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to become involved in the ALA and to promote our work in your regional networks.

The ways in which our members contribute to our organisation is, quite frankly, mindblowing. Many are involved behind the scenes in submission writing, media involvement, fundraising, lobbying or stakeholder engagement, without necessarily being a member of their state or territory committee. Nothing irks me more than when a member asks, “What does the ALA do for me?” The ALA presents a wealth of opportunities to engage with the areas of the law that you are passionate about. Read ALAn, write for Precedent. Get involved in federal and state advocacy and policy development.

The enormous work of the ALA – its staff, members and volunteers – for example, in lobbying recently to minimise or hold off sweeping changes to the NSW CTP scheme, and to reverse the WorkCover reforms in Queensland – cannot be understated. There is no doubt that without the tireless work of our members, as well as the significant fundraising efforts which enabled campaigns to be fought and won, the outcomes would not have been so favourable. Federally, the ALA’s work in the areas of NDIS/NIIS, asylum seekers and institutional abuse to name just a few, is making a difference. This year alone the ALA has made submissions on asylum seekers, counter-terrorism, criminal justice, human rights, institutional abuse, insurance and superannuation, racial discrimination, social welfare, various aspects of the NDIS and whistleblower protection. We launched our best practice policy paper on law reform emanating from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Our branch committees work tirelessly to ensure that the ALA voice is heard on all issues affecting the rights of individuals and our members. So, to coin a phrase, instead of asking what the ALA does for you, ask what you can do for the ALA.

The hard work continues. This year, the priorities of the ALA will be divided into three key areas:

Compensation (incorporating Comcare, financial services, NDIS/NIIS);

Justice (incorporating access to justice, administration of justice, criminal justice, Royal Commissions); and

Human Rights (incorporating immigration rights, racial discrimination, whistleblowers).

I look forward to continuing the work of the ALA in championing these rights and freedoms.

On a personal note, I am immensely grateful to my predecessor, Tony Kenyon, for his guidance and support in assisting my transition into this role. I also thank the Queensland State Committee, and in particular Rod Hodgson and Michelle James, for their confidence in me in undertaking this important task. Finally, to the ALA staff, I offer my sincere gratitude for your welcome, support and the sheer commitment you have to our organisation.

I know, with your ongoing support, we can continue to make a difference.

Laura Neil is a Barrister at Endeavour Chambers, Cairns. PHONE (07) 4041 7725 EMAIL lneil@endeavourchambers.com.au.


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