The peak body representing women lawyers in NSW for the advancement of women in the legal profession.

20 December 2005

Seasons Greetings 2005

Dear Members & Colleagues

With 2006 just a week and a half away, your newly elected Committee, detailed below, have already commenced planning our events and activities. We would welcome any sugestions for potential speakers or particular topics you would like considered to executive@womenlawyersnsw.org.au

The inaugural Australian Women Lawyers conference will be held on 29 & 30 September 2006 at Sheraton on the Park in Sydney, and I encourage you to diarise whilst the program is being finalised.

I am delighted to announce that National Australia Bank, major sponsors since 1997, are continuing their support, and invite you to contact our personal bankers for details on the special benefits available to women in law. I would also like to remind members to list online for our new Find a Woman Lawyer database. We look forward to bringing you further value, service and support in 2006.

Best wishes to you and yours for a safe and happy holiday season.

Louise Byrne
President

Executive Committee elected at our 2005 Annual General Meeting of the Women Lawyers’ Association of NSW on Wednesday 30 November 2005.

President - Louise Byrne
Vice President - Shauna Jarrett
Treasurer - Lee-May Saw
Secretary - Melinda Di Condio
Professional Issues Officer - Tatyana Virgara
Media Officer - Mary Underwood
Education Officer - Freya Jenkins
Policy Officer - Pauline Wright
Functions Officer - Elizabeth Maconachie
Fundraising/Sponsorship Officer - Tania Evers
Research Officers - Samantha Edwards & Julie-Anne Werda

Committee Members - Janet Coombs, Bronwyn Carr, Jenny Baxter

Further details of our Committee members on our website under Executive & Committees

SUBMISSIONS:
View more details on Policy & Law Reform page of our website - click here

Inquiry into the Provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Bill (No. 2) 2005
WLA NSW has endorsed the views of the Law Council of Australia on the Anti-Terrorism Bill (No. 2) 2005. A submission in support of the Law Council’s submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee was made on 11 November 2005. In this submission WLA NSW provided specific comment on:

  * Australia’s international obligations under the Convention on the Rights
     of the Child (CROC);
  * The Australian criminal justice system;
  * Control orders and preventative detention orders;
  * Use of force; and
  * Disclosure offences

Inquiry into the Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Bill 2005
A WLA NSW submission on the Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Bill 2005 was also submitted to the Senate Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Legislation Committee on 11 November 2005. Submission was drafted by: Mary Underwood, Research Officer; Samantha Edwards, Member; and Lee-May Saw, Media Officer. It addressed the issues of:

  * The conduct of the Inquiry;
  * Constitutional concerns;
  * Work and life balance and pay issues;
  * Low pay;
  * The introduction of an Australian Fair Pay Commission;
  * Increased use of individual contracts;
  * Pay equity; and
  * Unfair dismissal

The full submissions can be accessed by clicking on the link below:
http://www.womenlawyersnsw.org.au/index.asp?ID=8

25 January 2006, Wednesday 12pm "Celebrate Being An Australian" with distinguished guest speaker: Wendy McCarthy AO, Chancellor, University of Canberra National Council of Women of NSW Luncheon at Parliament house Sydney. Click here for details and bookings - $55pp. Further enquiries: (02) 9269 0433

Events and News:
Check the latest updates at www.womenlawyersnsw.org.au

Are you financial?
Email us to check your membership status:
executive@womenlawyersnsw.org.au

Please feel free to pass this email onto colleagues and ensure they are on our email list for future updates and invitations.

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For more information contact us
Women Lawyers Association of New South Wales Inc.
DX11563 Sydney Downtown/ 14A Lonsdale Close, Lake Haven NSW 2263
Ph: (02) 4392 1185 Fax: (02) 4392 9410
Email: executive@womenlawyersnsw.org.au URL: http://www.womenlawyersnsw.org.au

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