18 February 2024
The Asian Australian Lawyers Association (AALA) notes the attention and rhetoric emerging from the USA against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and several reports that some Australian organisations are reconsidering their support for DEI initiatives.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics found in the 2021 Census that 27.6 percent of Australians are born overseas with 3 out of the top 5 countries of birth (apart from Australia) being in Asia (4 if New Zealand is included to capture the broader Asia-Pacific region).
In 2022, a qualitative AALA study found that members of the legal profession who identified as culturally diverse continue to experience situations where there is a lack of representation in decision-making, leading to deficits in familiarity, relatability, and cultural competence in bridging different cultural values.
In a 2024 submission to the ASX Corporate Governance Council, AALA raised concern about backsliding in representation, with more non-inclusive teams and managers now compared to prior to the pandemic as noted by the 2023-24 Inclusion@Work report.
AALA National President, Matt Floro, said: “Inclusion and diversity are fundamental to a fair and just legal system that reflects the rich multicultural fabric of Australia. Efforts to undermine DEI initiatives risk reversing the progress made toward achieving greater representation and equality for historically underrepresented communities, including Asian Australians, in positions of leadership in the law, business and government.
“While we acknowledge that appointments to the upper echelons of our institutions must be made on the basis of merit, we must be careful not to entrench a hereditary meritocracy – one drawn from a narrow cultural, socioeconomic and professional hue.
“AALA champions a diverse meritocracy, one free of bias, stereotyping and typecasting, discrimination and racism.
“The legal profession must be a leader in upholding principles of fairness, inclusion, and opportunity. A profession that embraces diversity is better equipped to serve the public and administer justice fairly for all Australians.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Matt Floro, president@aala.org.au, 0403 935 811.
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