Michael Kirby Chambers WA

Today, let’s celebrate National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day 👣 🖤 💛 ❤️ 💚 🤍 💙

Our children are the heart of our communities and our future generations – our children should be proud to come from the oldest living culture in the world. They deserve to grow up strong, grounded in their culture and supported by their families.

This year’s theme, ‘Strong in Culture, Stronger Together’ emphasises the vital role culture and community play in shaping our children’s futures.

Every year since 1988, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is celebrated on 4 August. This day holds special significance, in honour of the Stolen Generations and upholds the strengths and culture of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

Let’s work together to create a future where all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children can thrive.

🖥️ https://www.snaicc.org.au/our-work/campaigns/childrens-day/

🖥️ Learn more about the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Early Childhood Strategy: https://www.niaa.gov.au/news-and-media/national-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-early-childhood-strategy

The visionary | TomorrowMoney A note to Aboriginal and Torres Strait readers: This story contains the image and name of a person who has died; discretion is advised.

'our fires will burn and every star will blaze to guide their spirts home'

Poem from 'Woven' by Natalie Harkin and Leanne Betasamosake Simpson 🖤

Today is National Sorry Day - a day to acknowledge the enduring legacies of our past, to honour strength in all who have been impacted and to remember those taken throughout our Stolen Generations.

Today is National Sorry Day and the 27th anniversary of the Bringing Them Home report, which exposed the genocidal forced removal of Aboriginal children.

National Sorry Day is an opportunity to acknowledge and support the tens of thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly taken from their families and communities.

We honor the survivors, their families, and descendants. Today, we remember the pain, suffering, and injustice endured, and reflect on how we can contribute to the healing process for our people and nation.

Attending the High Court of Australia swearing-in ceremonies on 6 November 2023 for Chief Justice Gaegler and Justice Beech-Jones in the presence of former Chief Justices Mason, Gleeson and Keifel and former Justices Kirby, Hayne, Bell, Keane, Crennan and Nettle - welcomed by Tony McAvoy SC, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services, Stephen Donaghue KC, Solicitor-General, Commonwealth of Australia, Greg McIntyre SC, President-elect, Law Council of Australia, Peter Dunning KC, President, Australian Bar Association Ruth Higgins SC, President, New South Wales Bar Association. The Chief Justice acknowledged Traditional Owners around the country and referenced the High Court's decision in Mabo v Queensland (No 2) recognising native title. The display pictured is on level 1 of the Court.

Further support has been made available for communities in northern Western Australia affected by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie:

• Personal Hardship Payments
• Temporary accommodation provisions
• The replacement of essential household contents
• Housing repairs
• Financial counselling
• Assistance for councils to repair public assets

For more information on how to access this support, visit: Disaster and emergency support services (www.wa.gov.au)

We have also activated the ‘Disaster Recovery Allowance’ for the LGA’s of Broome, Derby West Kimberley, Halls Creek and Wyndham East Kimberley in Western Australia. This is a taxable, fortnightly payment of up to 13 weeks to assist eligible employees and sole traders who experience a loss of income as a direct result of the disaster.

To access these payments, visit: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/western-australia-ex-tropical-cyclone-ellie-december-2022-january-2023?context=60042

The Regional Awareness and Accessibility Program (RAAP) recently travelled to the Pilbara recently visiting Newman, Jigalong, Tom Price and Paraburdoo.
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/raap-the-road-again-0

The Supreme Court held a special event today, unveiling a portrait of the Chief Justice of Western Australia, the Hon Justice Peter Quinlan, by Melissa Clements.

Ms Clements, 24, is a local artist specialising in portraits and fine art.

The portrait will hang in the Supreme Court’s 1903 Building.

📸: Lucette Quinlan

On 25 October 2022, VWL was thrilled to welcome back Penny Locaso, author of Hacking Happiness, to lead us through the 'Fear(less) You Masterclass' on how to use fear to create the change we wish to see in work and life. The interactive workshop saw participants develop action plans that will enable them to remove the barriers associated with fears and tool kit to build resilience and confidence.

Thank you to VWL Secretary Linda Hart for organising such an informative and successful event.

“Our clients were being told to use their credit cards or borrow money to repay their Robodebts. Sara* was so panicked after being told by Centrelink that she had to repay the debt on time that she felt compelled to borrow money from a payday lender at a high rate of interest. She was as yet unaware she could get legal help from our centre.”

Welfare Rights & Advocacy Service WA Principal Solicitor Catherine Eagle in her submission to the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme explaining the damaging impact of the Robodebt scheme.

Last Friday, WRAS, Economic Justice Australia and Welfare Rights Centre NSW gave evidence the Royal Commission in Brisbane.

Their evidence highlights the impact of Robodebt on vulnerable Australians and obstructions to internal review of Robodebts by Centrelink’s Authorised Review Officers, as well as barriers to external appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

Recording here: https://bit.ly/3twHxQ0 [from 4:32]
Transcript here: https://bit.ly/3UUUcb1

Community Legal WA

The First Nations Media National Conference - Converge - starts in Alice Springs/Mparntwe this Thursday.

If you can't make it to the Alice and still want to be a part of Converge, sign up to watch online.

Follow the link below:

https://vimeo.com/webinars/events/8978f286-81b5-4fb0-83dd-82184256b002

Our President, Leah Marrone, met with the Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus QC MP in Adelaide today to discuss many of our aligned policy priorities and where we think there's room for further reform.

The members of Michael Kirby Chambers congratulate the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG on his appointment as a life member of the IBA Council

It is regrettable that two States of Australia failed to comply with International obligations which Australia has signed up to.

Joint statement of concern regarding suspension of UN Subcommittee on Torture visit to Australia following lack of co-operation in New South Wales and Queensland | Human Rights Law Centre We express profound concern that the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) has been forced to take the drastic measure of suspending its visit to Australia due to obstruction encountered while attempting to carrying out its mandate during its visit to Australia under the Optiona

With the death of the Queen, QC’s are automatically changed to KC’s. There is no change for SC’s.

Vale, Queen Elizabeth II

Child safety advocate demands youth justice overhaul The National Children's Commissioner is concerned Australian governments are failing to prioritise the safety and well being of children in juvenile detention.

On 16 August State Attorney General Hon John Quigley tabled in Parliament the Law Reform Commission’s report into the Review of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (Project 111).
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/more-streamlined-act-modern-wa

Powerful new watchdog to probe conduct of West Aussie judges An independent judicial watchdog with the power to reprimand a magistrate or judge for misconduct will be created by the McGowan Government.

Fair Work Amendment (Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave) Bill 2022 - ALHR ALHR has made a submission to the Senate Education and Employment Committee regarding the Fair Work Amendment (Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave) Bill 2022 (the Bill) which proposes to establish an entitlement for ten days paid domestic and family violence leave, for all employees. Under inter...

Nominations are closing in just under a week for this year’s Human Rights Awards.

If you admire the contributions of an individual or organisation which has worked in Australia to advance human rights over the last 12 months, then we want to hear from you.

There are four categories:
• Human Rights Medal
• Young People’s award
• Community award
• Law award

Nominations close on Sunday 4 September. To nominate, and for information about the awards, visit: https://humanrights.gov.au/get-involved/human-rights-awards

UN Human Rights Chief Michelle Bachelet calls for solidarity and global commitment to strengthen . Older persons must actively and meaningfully participate in the design and implementation of legal and policy measures that affect them.

👉 http://ow.ly/XVLY50KugGN

Calls to sack WA minister who oversaw unlawful confinement of boy in Banksia Hill jail cell - National Indigenous Times A senior Aboriginal Legal Service of WA director has called for a royal commission into youth justice and child protection and for the sacking of Corrective Services Minister Bill Johnston.

NSW barristers urged to adopt new harassment policies Under updated professional conduct guidelines, chambers are urged to “facilitate” leave options to combat discrimination and broaden their definitions of workplace harassment,

What do you do when The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG is coming to Perth for only 24 hours?! Schedule His Honour for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! 😂 Curtin Law School was pleased to host His Honour for a series of interactive workshops, CPD and social events across a jam-packed day to celebrate the official opening of Michael Kirby Chambers WA on 9 August. Over the next few days, we’ll be featuring some snapshots from the day.

The Piddington Society hiring Coordinator, Piddington PLT in Perth, Western Australia, Australia | LinkedIn Posted 12:53:51 AM. Coordinator, Piddington PLTThe Piddington Society is looking for a Coordinator for the day-to-day…See this and similar jobs on LinkedIn.

Don't miss your opportunity to honour your human rights champions.

The Human Rights Awards celebrate and promote the important work of organisations and individuals to advance human rights.

Nominations are now open for the prestigious awards across four categories:

🏅 Human Rights Medal
🏅 Young People’s award
🏅 Community award
🏅 Law award

To nominate, and for information about the awards, visit: https://humanrights.gov.au/get-involved/human-rights-awards