Our RAP Actions 2011 – 2012

RELATIONSHIPS

1.Promote organisational buy-in of our RAP to enable successful realisation of our RAP actions and objectives across the firm. Include Reconciliation on the agenda of our Diversity Group – chaired by our Managing Partner in Australia.

2.Attendance at Garma Festival Women's Group, organised by Reconciliation Australia to gain further understanding and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and ways to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

3.Promote Reconciliation amongst clients, staff and communities. Identify an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culturally significant event to celebrate and invite partners and staff to participate in during 2012.

RESPECT

4.Deliver a series of cultural awareness raising opportunities, which allow our people to embark on their own cultural journeys and discoveries.

5.Implement respectful protocols for Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners of the Land and Welcome to Country.

OPPORTUNITIES

Education and mentoring programs

6.Work with our focus charities and community partners, using their guidance and expertise, to develop and deliver mentoring initiatives designed to educate and inspire young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Employment and training

7.Ensure our employment and training policies support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees

of the firm as part of Human Resources best practice. We welcome and encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples into the firm.

8.Work with Indigenous Community Volunteers (ICV) to create reciprocal secondment opportunities for our staff with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities. Create opportunities for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to participate in work experience programs. Our staff will benefit through increased exposure to, and engagement with, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture and Communities.

9.Commission Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander art for the design of our RAP and supporting communication materials/intranet pages. Employ an artist we have been supporting through our pro bono work.

Pro bono work

11.Play leadership role to improve access to justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples with civil legal needs. Deliver $1 million of pro bono work for the benefit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples over two years.

12.Second four pro bono lawyers to work with Artists in the Black and the Aurora Project. Artists in the Black provides free legal advice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to help create and protect sustainable income streams for remote communities. The Aurora Project places lawyers into Aboriginal Native Title Representative Bodies to assist with the preparation of Native Title claims.

13.Work with NGOs to promote the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Australia's domestic law. Work with Indigenous Community Volunteers to incorporate the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into our advice to, and work with, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Organisations and Communities.

Community development

14.Work collaboratively with businesses and NGOs to seek opportunities to combine efforts to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities. Combine the resources, skills, expertise and capacities of a number of different organisations to benefit an identified community and area of need long term.

Responsibilities and Timeframes