Aboriginal Law Student Mentoring Program

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (15:01): My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Will the minister inform the council about the recent launch event held for the Aboriginal Law Student Mentoring Program?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:01): I thank the honourable member for his question and his interest in this area. The Aboriginal Law Student Mentoring Program is an excellent platform for Aboriginal people studying law at any of South Australia's universities to access support and mentorship, both in relation to their curriculum and their career aspirations and professional development.

Students are matched with experienced members of the legal profession who act as their mentor and give advice on navigating their studies, building a professional network and moving into the profession of their choosing. There is now a thriving cohort of high-calibre professionals who have offered up their guidance and expertise to the program, and it is warming to see the collective desire to see these exceptional students succeed. The program has five specific aims:

to support Aboriginal students through a positive and individualised mentor relationship;

to facilitate the transition of Aboriginal law students from their tertiary environment to legal practice;

to provide an opportunity for legal practitioners in South Australia to participate in and contribute to the professional development of prospective practitioners;

to increase awareness and broaden career options for Aboriginal law graduates; and

to educate the legal profession generally, and the wider professional community, about the potential contribution of Aboriginal law graduates.

It was my great pleasure to join students, mentors and supporters of the program in the last couple of weeks for the launch of its 2024 program. Leata Clarke, from Wirringka Student Services at the University of South Australia, gave a very moving Welcome to Country before we heard from both the Law Society President and Judge Katrina Bochner about how they value the program and their hopes for its growth over the years to come.

The keynote speaker on the night was Ms Olivia Brownsey, an alumni of the program. Olivia spoke of the invaluable support she was provided with by her mentor while she was a student in the program and the confidence and opportunities she gained as a result, including travelling as part of a delegation to the United Nations while a student at the University of South Australia. Olivia currently works as an associate at Wallmans Lawyers, having worked at the Legal Services Commission and South Australian Native Title Services, and she is now a mentor to another student in the program, giving back to the program that helped her out.

I am sure that students on the night would have been inspired by Olivia's outstanding achievements and will be spreading the message to friends who might be interested in joining the program. I look forward to seeing the program continue to grow over the years to come and hearing all about the achievements of the students.