News Archive

AALA Anzac Day Reflection - 25 April, 2021

The ANZAC spirit is a diverse and inclusive one. Observed annually on 25 April, Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces (in Gallipoli) during World War I. It now commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders “who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations”.

World War I, coming shortly after Federation, helped to forge Australia’s sense of national identity as a new nation, which came to be defined by courage and mateship and to be seen as the land of the ‘fair go’. People of all races banded together wearing the same uniform, fighting side by side at the front lines and behind enemy lines to protect the place they called home.

Despite the Immigration Restriction Act 1901 and the Commonwealth Defence Act 1909, two pieces of Commonwealth legislation that sought to protect Australia's European heritage, there was considerable diversity amongst the diggers, including Chinese, Russians, Greeks, Romanians, Finns, Brazilians, Filipinos and Indians. Further, 1,000 Indigenous Australians served in World War I and around 70 fought at Gallipoli.

It should be acknowledged that Asian Australians played an important part in the ANZAC story and were awarded five Distinguished Conduct Medals (DCM), fourteen Military Medals (MM), two Belgian Croix de Guerre and three Mentions in Dispatches. In proportion to their numbers, this represents a much higher ratio of gallantry awards per head than the rest of the Australian Imperial Force.

There are many stories of distinction; five of which are below.

• Caleb James Shang was the most decorated Australian of Chinese descent in World War I. Born in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, he was first awarded the DCM for bravery and then a Bar to his DCM (in effect, a second DCM) as well as the MM. He was cited for ‘conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on numerous occasions’;
• William “Billy” Sing, born in Clermont, Queensland, was awarded the DCM for his actions as a sniper at Gallipoli, Mentioned in Dispatches for gallantry and awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre;
• Corporal William Loo Long was born in Marsden, New South Wales. He was first awarded the MM with the recommendation for the award stating that he ‘has always shown considerable dash and courage’ and, later on, a Bar to his MM (in effect, a second MM);• Sergeant Leslie Kew-Ming, born in St Arnaud, Victoria, served in Belgium, was wounded in action and awarded the MM. He later volunteered to serve for Australia during World War II by becoming a machine-gun instructor;
• Leslie Oliver Langtip (originally, “Lang Tip”), born in Tarraville, Victoria, served with three of his brothers in World War I. He was awarded the DCM for bravery, with the citation for his award reading: ‘… this non-commissioned officer gave valuable assistance in the capture of a field gun, and showed great initiative and courage.

We remember in times of peace that our cultural diversity has become a significant element within Australian community. We are proud to remember the long-standing contribution that Asian Australians have made in every area of Australian life, including during times of war, conflict and peacekeeping operations.

Asian Australian Lawyers Association

VOLUNTEER FOR AALA - PLEASE APPLY!

We are delighted to announce that we are now recruiting for the following volunteer position(s):

AALA National Finance Officer - Download Position Description

If you are interested in applying, please submit a CV and 1-page cover letter addressing your suitability in line with the position description to treasurer@aala.org.au by 6pm AWST Sunday 9 May 2021.

We look forward to receiving your application!

KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING: AALA MEMBERS' BLACKBOARD

The AALA Members’ Blackboard is an interactive online discussion forum where members can post anything they would like to share with other members, such as:

Job advertisements

Expressions of interest for career opportunities

Expressions of interest to assist with any particular areas of legal work

Expressions of interest to collaborate with other practitioners

Legal industry news

Health and wellbeing issues

Cultural diversity issues

The AALA Members’ Blackboard can be accessed via the following link:

https://padlet.com/secretary20/afdo2b01zulp2y9e

AALA is very pleased to announce that the Hon Diana Bryant AO QC is our new National Patron. Ms Bryant brings to this role an esteemed service to the Australian judiciary and Australian public life.

From 2000 to 2004, Ms Bryant was the inaugural Chief Federal Magistrate of Australia, the head of the Federal Magistrates’ Court. From 2004 to 2017, she then served as the Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia, while also acting as Patron of the Women Lawyers Association from 2009 until her retirement as Chief Justice. She has supported and contributed to the development of family law systems in Singapore and Indonesia. She is the current President of the Graduate Union of the University of Melbourne. In 2012, she was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for “distinguished service to the judiciary and to the law, particularly to family law policy reform and practice, through the establishment of the Federal Magistrates Court, and to the advancement of women in the legal profession”.

Diana Bryant’s credentials and abilities will significantly assist AALA as it continues to broaden its benefits to members, build its legal policy and advocacy capabilities and contribute to advancing cultural diversity in the law.

We are also very pleased to announce that the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG, who served as AALA’s National Patron from 2013 to 2021, is now our Emeritus Patron. Michael Kirby is an international jurist, educator and former judge. He was a Justice of the High Court of Australia from 1996 to 2009.

Mr Kirby’s presence at many of our formal events and member gatherings, and as our inaugural National Patron has inspired and energised our activities since AALA was founded in Victoria in 2013. AALA now has seven State and Territory Branches across Australia and plans to open a branch in the Northern Territory in 2021. Mr Kirby will continue to support AALA in his capacity of Emeritus Patron.

AALA is delighted to have both the powerful presence of Diana Bryant and continuing support of Michael Kirby. Their joint wisdom and experience will be invaluable for AALA.

AALA Press release 7 April, 2021

Discussions ranged around everyone's work day ahead, the problems facing the legal sector and the importance of diversity in the legal profession. The event was attended by lawyers, members of parliament, and political leaders. As discussions grew, so did everyone's networks. Our President, Veer Dhaliwal took a moment to thank everyone who attended and contributed to what can be best described as a great event and a great turnout. The need for having a community such as this in the ACT was clearly demonstrated by the attendees and as the AALA ACT Branch continues to grow, we endeavor to host more events such as this which will stand for the ideals of diversity. (Author: Andrew Chakrabarty, ACT publicity officer)

VOLUNTEER FOR AALA - PLEASE APPLY!

We are delighted to announce that we are now recruiting for the following volunteer positions:

2 positions x AALA National Media and Policy Officer - Download Position Description

If you are interested in applying, please submit a CV and 1-page cover letter addressing your suitability in line with the position description to secretary@aala.org.au by 6pm AWST Sunday 4 April 2021.

We look forward to receiving your application!

KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING: AALA MEMBERS' BLACKBOARD

The AALA Members’ Blackboard is an interactive online discussion forum where members can post anything they would like to share with other members, such as:

Job advertisements

Expressions of interest for career opportunities

Expressions of interest to assist with any particular areas of legal work

Expressions of interest to collaborate with other practitioners

Legal industry news

Health and wellbeing issues

Cultural diversity issues

The AALA Members’ Blackboard can be accessed via the following link:

Log on to Blackboard

You’re invited to join AALA’s 2021 National Digital Events Series event 

Employee/Employer rights and responsibilities in the Covid era - 

Thursday 15 April 2021 from 6.00pm-7.30pm -

In person @ Maurice Blackburn, Brisbane and online

Our first event for 2021 (not to be missed!) will see Dan Chen hosting a panel discussion with Dr Mellissa Naidoo and Giri Sivaraman exploring the medico legal landscape in light of our Covid vaccination roll-out. Please see your invitation below (or attached) for all of the details.

Please note, you have to options to join this event:

- In-person event: We have limited seats available in our Brisbane office. Click here to reserve your seat now (don’t forget to include your dietary requirements with your registration as light refreshments will be served)

- Online event: Click here to register for the webinar

AALA National Digital Event Series Employee Employer rights and responsibilities in the Covid era.jpg

Asian Australian Lawyers Association calls on the legal profession to “Choose To Challenge" - AALA Press Release, 12 March, 2021

The Asian Australian Lawyers Association celebrates International Women’s Day 2021.

Whilst celebrating the achievements of our female members and all other female legal practitioners, AALA calls on the legal profession to “Choose To Challenge”, in line with the 2021 IWD global theme.

The Law Society of NSW’s 2019 National Profile of the Profession report found that in 2018, “for the first time in history”, female solicitors outnumbered male solicitors across Australia.1

However, there is a stark underrepresentation of women at the law firm partnership level. The Australian Financial Review’s 2020 Law Partnership Survey found that female solicitors comprised just 30 per cent of the partnership at Australia’s large law firms.2

The underrepresentation of women at senior levels is more pronounced at the Bar. In 2018-2019, the Law Council of Australia found that women comprised 32 per cent of juniorbarristers and only 18 per cent of senior barristers.3

Moreover, at the Bench, the Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration found that in 2020, women comprised 38.8% of judicial officers across the Commonwealth, State and Territory Courts, although that percentage had increased from the previous year.4

Sexual harassment continues to be a significant problem in the legal profession, as in others sectors. A 2019 report from the Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner (VLSB) found that from the participants surveyed, 36% of legal professionals have personally experienced sexual harassment whilst working in the Victorian legal sector, and that 61% of women and 12% of men have experienced sexual harassment whilst working in a legal workplace in Victoria.5

Molina Asthana, AALA National Vice President, said: “The continued lack of gender equality at senior levels of the legal profession, coupled with the severe underrepresentation of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, is a barrier to access to justice and a legal system that is truly representative of the community.”

“AALA calls on the legal profession to ‘Choose to Challenge’ the longstanding structural challenges that face women in the profession and beyond.”

“In particular, AALA calls on the legal profession to address the substantial issues of sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination that too often are significant obstacles to women’s fulsome participation in the law and in our society.”

“In this regard, AALA congratulates Grace Tame, 2021 Australian of the Year, for her courageous advocacy for legal and policy reform for survivors of sexual assault.”6

MEDIA CONTACT: Molina Asthana by email 

Asian Australian Lawyers Association congratulates Magistrate Anthony Gett on his appointment as a Deputy Chief Magistrate of the Queesland Magistrates Court. 

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, the Honourable Shannon Fentiman today announced the appointment. Minister Fentiman stated that “Queensland’s judiciary, and by extension the community at large, is in very safe hands when you consider the talent and work ethos of people like Deputy Chief Magistrate Gett and Magistrate (Susan) Warrington" (who was also appointed today). 

Both appointments were made after an extensive selection process involving the Judicial Appointments Advisory Panel, which includes representatives from the Queensland Law Society and the Bar Association of Queensland.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Gett’s appointment begins formally on 12 March, 2021.

To read the full media release  

 The Asian Australian Lawyers Association (AALA) NSW Branch in partnership with the Women Lawyers’ Association of NSW (WLANSW) Diversity and Equality Committee, have formed a Policy and Data Subcommittee to address the issue of cultural diversity targets for the legal profession. 

The Press Release dated 9 March 2021 can be viewed below:

On 25 February 2021, the South Australian Branch of AALA celebrated its official launch.

Her Honour Magistrate Jayanthi McGrath was the special guest speaker and the full capacity room heard her speak about her career journey and highlights and the advice she had for up and coming practitioners. 

It was a great way to officially launch the SA Branch while enjoying food and drinks and meeting new and familiar faces in the legal profession.