Walk for Justice

The Hon. M. EL DANNAWI (15:04): My question is to the Attorney-General. Will the Attorney-General inform the council about this year's JusticeNet fundraising event, Walk for Justice?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (15:04): It was a great honour, again, to walk alongside hundreds of members of the broader legal community recently at the annual fundraising event for JusticeNet, the Walk for Justice. I have been privileged to attend the Walk for Justice for many years now, and it is always heartening to see so many from the legal profession, including students, members and members of the judiciary amongst many others, come out in large numbers, cold on an early morning, to raise funds in support of the pro bono legal service that is JusticeNet.

Yet again breaking their own records, the Walk for Justice this year raised a massive $201,784, which all goes directly to JusticeNet in their invaluable legal service provision for those in the community who need it most. That hugely impressive sum was also the highest amount raised amongst all of the National Pro Bono Day walks that happened around the country, so very well done to all the South Australians who participated and donated to the worthy cause.

I was proud, once again, to be walking as part of the Attorney-General's Department team, who were very easily identified by their matching beanies branded by the scales of justice, each hand-knitted by Jillian Dellit, the mother of our very own Assistant Crown Solicitor, Katherine Dellit. It was Jillian's generosity and craftsmanship of these wonderful beanies that won the AGD's team the best dressed award on the walk.

I believe it is the very first time in my life I have ever been part of a team that has been judged best dressed, so it was a great thrill. Thank you to Jillian for her efforts and the suggestions. It might even be that we implore her to knit more and to sell them as a fundraiser for JusticeNet one year as well. They are a very, very sought-after item.

As well as being warm and fashionable wearing our justice beanies, the AGD team also managed to raise over $14,000 as the third highest team fundraiser overall, so a big thankyou to everyone in the Attorney-General's Department who contributed to this impressive sum. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Rebecca Ross, the CEO of JusticeNet, and the whole JusticeNet team for the work they do every day, coordinating not just this fantastic annual event but the pro bono legal service that JusticeNet provides to thousands of South Australians every year.

Thank you once again to all who participated and all who donated for making sure that the JusticeNet Walk for Justice was another very worthy event. I want to thank, as I look around the chamber, a number of members of this chamber who I have seen out in years gone by as well.