This time last year it was with great pleasure and pride that I launched the first Arnold Bloch Leibler Indigenous Solidarity Statement of Commitment.
The Statement of Commitment, which was developed by the firm's Indigenous Solidarity Network, reflects the firm's long held view that our shared aspirations around Indigenous human rights and empowerment will only be achieved by continuing to work alongside each other.
The last twelve months have seen this very active Network initiating a range of projects and activities under the banner of the statement, engaging lawyers, professional staff, clients, and friends of the firm in unprecedented numbers. To put it simply, they have taken this core element of the firm's culture, which is valued and respected by clients, lawyers and staff across the firm, and energised it with fresh eyes and fresh ideas.
The statement was always intended to be a living document that we will continually adapt in line with the priorities of Indigenous clients and friends.
The priority we carry from the last twelve months is to do all that we can as a firm to encourage a successful referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, as proposed in the Uluru Statement from the Heart. With the support of a new generation of talented and passionate advocates behind me, l look forward to working with the Network to advocate for this modest yet deeply meaningful next step for our nation.