Indigenous issues

Indigenous issues 

The Indigenous Issues Committee represents the Law Society and its members on policy and practice issues arising in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Our priorities include:

  • Developing and commenting on law reform and legal policy proposals (including preparing submissions, and liaising with government and other stakeholders in this process)
  • Educating the legal profession about changes to the law, and providing guidance on practice and other issues
  • Exchanging information about issues arising in legal practice (such as recent case law) that may indicate a legal policy issue or concern

Learn more about committees
Current committee members
How to join a committee

Recent policy submissions

Letter to NSW Drug Summit 2024 - 15 November 2024

Letter to NSW Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters - Proposals to increase voter engagement, participation and confidence - 14 August 2024

Letter to Law Enforcement Conduct Commission - Bail compliance checks in NSW Issues Paper - 26 July 2024

Letter to Law Council of Australia - Inquiry into family violence orders - 10 July 2024

Letter to Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety - Inquiry into community safety in regional and rural communities - 30 May 2024

Letter to Law Council of Australia - Reforming Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regime – second phase consultation – 22 May 2024

Letter to Law Council of Australia - Inquiry into economic self-determination and opportunities for First Nations Australians - 20 May 2024

Letter to Law Council of Australia - Australian Law Reform Commission Inquiry into Justice Responses to Sexual Violence - 16 May 2024

Letter to Law Council of Australia - Nature Positive Laws- Reforming the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) – 22 March 2024

Letter to Members of the Legislative Council - Bail and Crimes Amendment Bill 2024 – 20 March 2024

Letter to NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure - Discussion paper – Statutory Review of the Crown Land Management Act 2016 – 15 March 2024

Letter to Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal - Review of Out-of-Home Care cost and pricing - 11 March 2024

Letter to Law Council of Australia - 2024 National Pro Bono Target Review - 16 February 2024

Letter to Law Council of Australia - Independent Review of the National Legal Assistance Partnership - 13 October 2023

Letter to Law Council of Australia - Review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap - 29 September 2023

Letter to Department of Customer Service – Improving NSW rental laws consultation paper – 18 August 2023

Letter to Minister for Agriculture - Commencement of Schedule 1 of the Fisheries Management Amendment Act 2009 - 2 August 2023

Letter to Law Council of Australia - Inquiry into the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice - 14 April 2023

Letter to Law Council of Australia - Privacy Act Review Report - 20 March 2023

Letter to Law Council of Australia - Family Law Amendment Bill Exposure Draft and Consultation Paper - 24 February 2023

Visit the policy submissions archive

2024 Committee list

Mr Jason Behrendt (Co-chair), Ms Danielle Captain-Webb (Co-chair), Z. Armytage, B-J. Attard, E. Bastable, M. Brazel, D. Byers, S. Calnan, B. Charlton, S. Crellin, Z. De Re, L. De Silva, B. Dufty, J. Fing, M. Gleeson, L. Holden, M. Holden, E. Hudson-Buhagiar, J. Lovric, O. Monaghan, S. Mortimer, P. Mulroney, P. Novotna, C. Robinson, L. Swan, L. Walder, R. Welsh.

How to join a committee

Law Society Committees have powers, authorities and tasks delegated by the Council. Consisting of dedicated volunteers, each committee focuses on a particular area of law, pooling together specialist skills and experience in order to scrutinise legislation, court decisions and other government policies.
There are three broad categories of committees:

  • Regulatory committees – perform statutory duties under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW)
  • Liaison committees – linked to other professions or organisations
  • Policy committees

By drawing on the insights of committees, the Law Society can meet its statutory duties and act as a major player in law reform and policy debates.

See the Law Society Committee webpage