The annual Law Society elections are now open in many of our jurisdictions. We know that some of our AALA members are candidates in these elections and to show our support for them as they have done so for us, we would like to release a public statement on our website and on our social media channels about their candidacy. If you are a current AALA member and are a current candidate for a law society election, registration to submit your details closed on Wednesday 3 June. We wish all our AALA members who are candidates for Law Society elections the best of luck. We received the following statements: MOLINA ASTHANA (Statement) I am the National President of the Asian Australian Lawyers Association. I am also the current LIV President Elect. Now principal of my commercial law practice, I was previously at Clayton Utz, Minter Ellison and VGSO for over 15 years. I have been on Council for over 5 years and Committees for 5 years prior. I chair the Diversity Committee, co-chair the Sexual Harassment Taskforce and Sports Law Committee and contribute regularly on policy submissions and to the LIV Journal. I have extensive governance experience serving on various boards including AMES Australia, Graduate House of UOM, Good Shepherd ANZ. My advocacy work has won many awards and is regularly reported in media. My experience will be relevant on Council post governance reforms. I will continue to advocate for the interest of sole practitioners and small practices, for greater cultural diversity in the profession, access to justice and addressing the culture of sexism. ZUBAIR MIAN (view Statement by clicking the below) LILY SAKAR (view Statement by clicking the below)

30 May 2022 The Asian Australian Lawyers Association (AALA) celebrates the election of the following eight new culturally diverse MPs in the Australian Federal Parliament: Cassandra Fernando (Holt) Dai Le (Fowler) Gordon Reid (Robertson) Marion Scrymgour (Lingiari) Michelle Ananda-Rajah (Higgins) Sally Sitou (Reid) Sam Lim (Tangney) Zaneta Mascarenhas (Swan) They join the re-elected Ian Goodenough (Moore) and Anne Aly (Cowan) to form the most culturally diverse House of Representatives Australia has seen. The prospect of a more culturally diverse Senate is also promising with Senators Pat Dodson (WA), Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania), Mahreen Farugi (NSW), Malarndirri McCarthy (NT) and Lidia Thorpe (Victoria) continuing their terms, the re-election of Senator Penny Wong (SA), Afghan-Australian Fatima Payman set to win WA’s sixth Senate seat, and the recent election of the following First Nations individuals: · Jana Stewart (Victoria Senate) · Jacinta Price (NT Senate) · Dorinda Cox (WA Senate) This marks a milestone in Australia’s cultural change having had a Federal Parliament dominated by 96% of persons with a European background in the last decade. However, despite this improvement, Australia still significantly falls behind the rest of the world with the number of Asian Australians in its Federal Parliament falling below the 15% of Asian Australians in its population. Countries such as New Zealand and the UK have progressed far more than Australia in the last 21 years with the UK having doubled its progress rate despite starting at a similar position as Australia in 2001. Our National President Molina Asthana welcomes greater representation of Asian Australians in the Federal Parliament. “Though this is a step in the right direction, further change is required for our Parliament to be truly representative of our demographic. The major parties need to be aware that tokenism and ignoring diverse candidates can be to their detriment” she said. She further added that “To me what stood out in these elections was the rise of professional women in the political landscape, both as those elected and those as discernible voters. I am particularly happy to see a number of Asian Australian women who have been elected. In the future, I am hopeful we will see more Asian Australian Lawyers run for Parliament. Lawyers, in particular, make for good legislators as we understand law-making, believe in upholding the rule of law, and are connected to the communities. I would encourage more lawyers of diverse backgrounds to consider running for Local, State, and Federal elections, particularly if you have a passion for social justice” I am also hopeful that this diverse representation in Parliament would also be a catalyst for greater representation on the bench”. What AALA is Doing to Advocate for Change AALA has been dedicated to promoting cultural diversity since 2013 and is currently undertaking multiple projects including a National Diversity Report to highlight the issues of cultural diversity in the Australian legal profession. By drawing attention to the lack of cultural representation in the Australian Parliament, AALA hopes to advocate for a change resulting in a Parliament that truly reflects Australia and therefore serves our diverse population better. Sources https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-61432762 https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/watershed-moment-parliament-makes-important-diversity-gains-20220523-p5anon.html https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/asian-representation-in-parliament-has-now-doubled-but-some-advocates-say-its-not-enough/ezzub39hn https://www.nit.com.au/full-list-record-number-of-indigenous-mps-voted-in-to-serve-the-australian-people/

On the 31st of March 2022, Asian Australian Lawyers Association NSW Student Engagement Subcommittee invited Andrew Chew (partner from Corrs Chambers Westgarth), Sina Kassra (partner from Piper Alderman), Joy Chen (lawyer from Clayton Utz) and Kai Nash (lawyer from King & Wood Mallesons) to speak as panelists at the AALA Cultural Diversity in the Legal Profession Talk. The event took place online, but it does not stop 63 attendees from listening to the insightful discussions between the four speakers! The speakers touched upon their personal journeys in terms of how diversity has helped them to develop their legal careers, what cultural diversity means to them and to the entire legal profession. The speakers also provided invaluable advice to law students and young legal professionals on how to leverage their cultural differences in their early careers, as well as ways in dealing with discrimination in the workplace. They also introduced various initiatives of their respective firms to hire more diverse talent and support people from diverse backgrounds to the attendees. A big thank you to Andrew, Sina, Joy and Kai for their involvement and contribution to the panel event! NSW Student Subcommittee

AALA is the peak body for Asian Australian lawyers and lawyers with an interest in Asia regardless of background. We are a national, not-for-profit, volunteer-run organisation with Branches in all States and Territories. In 2021, we ran almost 60 events across the country, reaching over 1,000 members from all parts of our profession. But we can only run our events and initiatives through the amazing generosity of our volunteers (including all our Executive Committee and Branch Committee members). To successfully run our packed schedule of events and initiatives for 2022, we need your support. Please consider applying for one of the ten available 2022 national volunteer positions today (see position descriptions below). Applicants can be from any background but must be current or prospective members of AALA - please become a member if you are not one already. All applications for volunteer positions close at 6pm AWST Sunday, 20 March 2022. Apply now! We will be interviewing on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible. We look forward to receiving your application! AALA National Events Officer (Volunteer) AALA National Finance Officer (Volunteer) AALA National Marketing Officer (Volunteer) AALA National Media and Policy Officer (Volunteer) AALA National Membership Officer (Volunteer) AALA National Operations Officer (Volunteer) AALA National Partnerships Officer (Volunteer) AALA National Secretariat Officer (Volunteer) AALA National Student Engagement Officer (Volunteer) AALA National Summit Deputy Convenor (Volunteer)

MEDIA RELEASE Sexual harassment in the workplace – Further statement from the AALA National Executive Committee The Asian Australian Lawyers Association (AALA) notes the recent findings of sexual harassment and discrimination experienced by two former judge’s associates at the hands of former Victorian Supreme Court judge Peter Vickery. These arise from the independent investigation undertaken by Kate Eastman AM SC and commissioned by the Supreme Court of Victoria. Further to its statement regarding sexual harassment in the workplace published on 30 June 2020,[1] the National Executive Committee of AALA supports the statements made by other legal organisations, including the Women Barristers’ Association and Victorian Women Lawyers in respect of these findings. This follows in the wake of: the Commonwealth reaching a financial settlement with, and apologising to, three former associates to former High Court judge Dyson Heydon (whom he was found to have sexually harassed, following an independent investigation undertaken by Dr Vivienne Thom AM and commissioned by the High Court of Australia) last month; and the report and recommendations from the Review of Sexual Harassment in Victorian Courts and VCAT conducted by Dr Helen Szoke AO (Victorian Review), published early last year. AALA reiterates that sexual harassment has no place in any workplace and that all members of the legal profession must work together to ensure that it provides a safe environment for everyone, including women. This issue is particularly topical in light of International Women’s Day being earlier this week. AALA understands that the Supreme Court of Victoria has accepted the recommendations from the Victorian Review, is committed to their implementation and has begun that work.[2] Similar changes need to be made across the legal profession as a whole. If you have experienced sexual harassment in your workplace, in addition to accessing your workplace’s policies, you may wish to lodge a complaint with the relevant anti-discrimination or equal opportunity Board or Commission in your State or Territory, the Australian Human Rights Commission or Safe Work Australia. [1] https://membersuite.aala.org.au/page-7738/9069063 . [2] For the full text of Chief Justice Anne Ferguson’s statement, see: https://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/news/statement-from-anne-ferguson-chief-justice-of-the-supreme-court-of-victoria Download the Media Statement here:

To understand how to navigate an issue, we must first identify what the issue is. More often than not, the discussions around “cultural diversity”, “career progression”, “diversity and inclusion” and “workplace bias” are tricky, and because these discussions are tricky, we tend to have superficial approaches when it comes to discussing solutions. A key reason that the conversations are tricky is because we actually do not quite know what the issues are. Quantitative data and qualitative stories that provide perspective to that data ensure that the NSW legal profession transforms the uncomfortable discussion so that we have clarity and improved insight. It is because we want to better understand our profession, it is because we want to improve our profession for our solicitors now and emerging, it is because we want a profession that better reflects the communities it serves, that the NSW Branch is committed to this Cultural Diversity Report 2022. The Data and Policy Subcommittee of the NSW Branch (Subcommittee) is working together with the Women Lawyers' Association to deliver a special joint Report identifying barriers to career progression faced by culturally diverse solicitors. Chair of the Subcommittee, Lee-May Saw and Secretary of the Subcommittee, Michael Tangonan have been working closely with Subcommittee Members including the NSW Patron, Katrina Rathie to develop a simple project that will directly identify barriers faced by culturally diverse solicitors. The Subcommittee also acknowledges the assistance of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Law Society of NSW. The Report findings will be based on two sets of data: SURVEY An online Survey hosted by AALA opened to all NSW solicitors. This Survey will collect quantitative data and will ask participants to share any qualitative experiences they may have. The Survey is completely anonymous and confidential. THE SURVEY IS OPEN NOW! The Survey will be open for the complete months of March and April, and the AALA goal is to receive 5000 responses. FOCUS GROUP Following the close of the Survey, in late May 2022, 4 - 7 PQE solicitors who identify as culturally diverse will be invited to participate in a Focus Group. The Focus Group will be hosted by a neutral facilitator and the discussion will be guided on the results of the Survey while also providing participants with the opportunity to share their stories and opinions about barriers they have faced to their own career progression. If you are interested in participating in the Focus Group, email us at aalanswsurvey@outlook.com All data is confidential and will be collected by AALA. We are proud of this project and are grateful for the assistance of the Women Lawyers' Association of NSW as supporting organisation, and King & Wood Mallesons as Focus Group sponsors. To fix an issue, we must first understand what the issue is. This is the objective of the NSW Cultural Diversity 2022 Report. The Report and an event to mark the publication of the Report will be hosted at a date to be confirmed in late 2022. We ask that all firms in NSW circulate the Survey to their practitioners to complete and that all practitioners consider participating in the Focus Group. We are in this together. Participate in the Survey by clicking here. Volunteer to participate in the Focus Group by emailing us at: aalanswsurvey@outlook.com Please do not use this email to ask questions or provide comments about the survey. Survey data is collected on an anonymous basis.

Start the new year on the right note and welcome new voices, diverse thinking and critical and creative approaches to your Summer Reading List! The Asian Australian Lawyers Association has asked some of our National Executive Committee for their recommendations on the must-read, must-get-your-hands-on now books that will start your 2022 with a big bang... Open your minds, open your hearts and immerse yourself in the AALA 2021/22 Summer Reading List: The Coconut Children - Vivian Pham We are here - Cat Thao Nguyen The Boat - Nam Le A thousand crimson blooms - Eileen Chong One earth we're briefly gorgeous - Ocean Vuong The Red Earth: A Vietnamese Memoir of Life on a Colonial Rubber Plantation - Tran Bu Bing The Latinos of Asia: How Filipino Americans Break the Rules of Race - Anthony Ocampo Stone Sky Gold Mountain - Mirandi Riwoe The permanent resident - Roanna Gonsavles A thousand splendid suns - Khaled Hosseini Do you have any recommendations? Comment below!

The Honourable Zoe Bettison MP the Shadow Minister for Trade Tourism & Investment and the Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs hosted the SA Members of AALA to end of year drinks and nibbles at Parliament House. Amidst a busy end of year, the maximum capacity for the event was reached and 35 guests welcomed the chance to relax outside and catch up in the Parliament House courtyard. The Honourable Zoe Bettison MP warmly welcomed the guests by sharing her interest in cultural diversity and reliving her experiences living in Penang, Malaysia enjoying the delicious food! It has been a big year for the SA Branch and these end of year drinks was a wonderful way to end 2021 and reflect on what the SA Branch has been able to achieve during the year. A big thank you to The Honourable Zoe Bettison MP and her policy adviser Cathy Perry for hosting the SA members of AALA and continuing the AALA SA Branch tradition of providing delicious food and drinks.

At the AALA National AGM on 30 November 2021, National Returning Officer Nai Yan Yeap declared the following candidates for the AALA National Executive Committee elected: National President: Molina Asthana National Vice-President: Matt Floro National Secretary: Position Vacant National Treasurer: Ivonne Muryadi National Executive Committee Ordinary Members (5 positions available): Alyssandria Lim Johnny Duc-Huy Nguyen Stephanie Tan William Zhou Position Vacant Accordingly, there is one casual vacancy for the position of National Secretary and one casual vacancy for the position of National Executive Committee Ordinary Member. These positions will be appointed by the National Executive Committee in due course. If you hold a current AALA membership and are interested in expressing your interest in the National Secretary and/or the National Executive Committee Ordinary Member position, please complete the Expression of Interest Form and e-mail it to secretary@aala.org.au by midnight AWST (Perth time) Friday 10 December 2021. Joining the above office bearers on the National Executive Committee are the following AALA Branch Presidents and Secretaries elected at Annual Branch Meetings in November: ACT Branch President: Eveline Kuang Secretary: Dominique Yap NSW Branch President: Marija Gurlica Secretary: Position Vacant (please register for the SBM to nominate). NT Branch President: Lyma Nguyen Secretary: Jacinta Mu QLD Branch President: Dominic Nguyen Secretary: Vernon Ting SA Branch President: Jessica Teoh Secretary: Position Vacant (please contact sa@aala.org.au if you are interested in nominating) TAS Branch President: Tiffany Tang Secretary: Justin Heng VIC Branch President: Kelvin Ng Secretary: Jenny Si WA Branch President: Belinda Wong Secretary: Julie Moore AALA congratulates all newly elected office bearers on our National Executive Committee and State and Territory Branch Committees.

Linda Cho, AALA Queensland Branch Committee Member Dzenita Ballic, Victor Asoyo, Kristen Hodge, Sheetal Deo and Ashleigh DoRozario spoke candidly at the Banco Court about their personal journeys of entering the legal profession and how they managed to continue working in the profession, despite encountering significant challenges. They bravely shared their vision for the future of the legal profession. Each story shared was about overcoming adversity and a collective hope for our profession to acknowledge and celebrate diversity and inclusion. We were told we can start by ‘calling people in’ so we can better understand our differences, and that instead of just ticking boxes, we should truly appreciate the different lived experiences of each individual, and encourage seeing the strength that comes from these diverse experiences. Court of Appeal President Walter Sofronoff led the forum by sharing with the audience his Russian heritage, his upbringing in Hong Kong where his family were refugees and later his life in Australia. Panellists pictured (from left): Victor Asoyo, Kristen Hodge, President Sofronoff (moderator), Sheetal Deo and Ashleigh DoRozario. Photo: Jonas Chng. Dzenita gave us a glimpse into what it was like to come to Australia as a refugee from a war-torn country, as a teenager who knew no English, and how that led her to become a senior Crown Prosecutor at the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions). Ashleigh shared how she navigated continuing to work in the legal profession whilst being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune condition causing her to become legally blind. Kristen, a Wiradjuri woman, shared her experiences of working tirelessly for First Nations people through native title and cultural heritage law, and fighting back systematic prejudices. Sheetal, a Canadian-born migrant woman within the LGBTIQA+ community, spoke passionately about actively working in the inclusion space. Finally, Victor reflected on how he came to Australia as the first in his family to attend university, how he worked in property law and banking, and became a partner of his own firm. When answering questions, it became clear that, as lawyers who have different lived experiences to those who traditionally have made up the majority of the profession, we sometimes don’t realise the lengths we go to so we can ‘fit in’ to the stereotypical mould. This night left the audience reflecting on the past, provided insight into the present and gave us hope for the future. Many people who may have felt as though they were not ‘the majority’ within our profession, felt heard and understood. Not only did the storytelling by the panellists allow the audience to briefly experience being ‘in their shoes’, it reinforced to the diverse members of our profession that we belong in this community. President Shearer, in her welcoming address, said: “The diverse groups among us do not belong in the margins, but in the centre.” Her encouraging speech reinforced that there is change happening within our profession. This change may not be drastic, but I believe the interest in the event was a true reflection of the profession’s longing for a more diverse and inclusive profession. It is hoped that this will not be last time we speak about these central issues and that this event continues to spark conversations among peers about the importance of diversity within our legal profession. The event was organised as a first-time collaboration between the Asian Australian Lawyers Association, Indigenous Lawyers Association, Women’s Lawyers Association Queensland, Pasifika Lawyers Association of Queensland, African Lawyers Network, Pride in Law and the QLS Diverse Abilities Network. We thank our sponsors, Robertson O’Gorman, the Bar Association of Queensland, Hemmant’s List and Queensland Law Society for assisting in bringing this event together.

In October 2021, the Queensland Branch hosted a panel to discuss judicial diversity. The panel included Justice Walter Sofronoff, president of the Queensland Court of Appeal; The Honourable Roslyn Atkinson, retired Supreme Court judge; and Judge Nathan Jarro of the District Court, the first indigenous judge appointed to the District Court. Lawyers Weekly has published a piece reviewing the event with key takeaways, view here. To contact the Queensland Branch, visit our website.

Last Date to Renew Your AALA Membership or Join AALA to be Eligible to Vote A formal Notice of National AGM and formal Notice of your relevant Branch Meeting will be sent to you via email in due course. For the purposes of the AALA National AGM and your relevant State or Territory Branch Meeting, a person is entitled to vote if: the person is a Member of the Association (other than an Associate Member); more than 10 business days have passed since the person became a Member; and the Member’s membership rights are not suspended for any reason. It is your responsibility to know the status of your membership and to keep it current and paid in order to vote at the AALA National AGM and your relevant State or Territory Branch Meeting. Accordingly, please find below the dates of the AALA 2021 National AGM and State and Territory Branch Meetings, along with the last date you can renew your membership or join AALA to be eligible to vote at the National AGM and your relevant Branch Meeting: If your AALA membership has lapsed and you would like to renew your membership, please renew online now through our website aala.org.au. You can check whether your AALA membership is current via this method as well. If you would like to join AALA as a new member, please visit http://www.aala.org.au/membership and sign up now.