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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-09-04 Daily Xml
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Law Society of South Australia

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:58): My question is to the Attorney-General. Can the minister tell the council about the Law Society's celebration of achievements in the legal profession and the recognition of contributions in the sector?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (14:58): I thank the honourable for his question. Before I answer the question, I do note, and I don't ask for a ruling but I do note that the Hon. Dennis Hood seems to have a piece of clothing that has now become a prop beside him. I am sure a ruling won't be needed, but the phrase 'never forget 2017' comes to mind.

The PRESIDENT: Order! The honourable Attorney, you are on very thin ice by bringing that up; very thin ice.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: Eight goals.

The PRESIDENT: Attorney!

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: I thank the honourable member for his question.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: I think I have the numbers.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: It was a pleasure to celebrate the legal profession last week in an event hosted by the Law Society of South Australia. The event brought together members of the legal community from all different areas to celebrate the achievements of the profession. Proceeds from the celebration went to the Kids Helpline charity, which provides free and confidential 24/7 counselling for young people aged between five and 25.

Many individuals were recognised on the night for their outstanding contributions. Some of those included Murtaza Dostdar, who received the Emerging Lawyer of the Year Award. She fled Afghanistan in the 1990s, arriving in Australia at the age of 11, speaking no English and overcoming immense challenges to become a lawyer in 2021. She now advocates for vulnerable clients and supports the Afghan community with legal advice, including volunteering during the 2021 Taliban crisis.

Pam McEwin was awarded the Mary Kitson Award, which recognises a practitioner who has made a significant contribution to advancing the interests of women lawyers. Pam exemplifies the transformative wave of women who have entered law in the 1980s, bringing professionalism, integrity and excellence to a traditionally often conservative field.

Kelly Morgan received the Regional Practitioner of the Year Award. Based in Jamestown, Kelly has built South Australia's largest regional law firm, being a passionate advocate for rural communities, volunteering extensively and inspiring others through the support of local initiatives, events and causes.

Sharon Lucas won the inaugural First Nations Lawyer Award, which recognises the outstanding contributions of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander legal practitioner in South Australia. Sharon is a respected solicitor, and was recognised for her advocacy in civil, family and child protection laws, having devoted over 20 years to not-for-profit legal service.

A second new award was introduced on the night—the inaugural Outstanding First Nations Law Student Award—recognising the outstanding contribution of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander law student in South Australia. There were joint winners this year, Codi Buckskin and Nathaniel Keeler, who are both third-year law students, and were jointly nominated, particularly for their work on the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement's Unfinished Business report. They contributed legal and social research, led sensitive community consultation, and helped to write the 260-page report examining recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

The night was a great opportunity for members of the profession from different areas to come together, whether it be from private practice, public service, the courts, community legal centres or academics. There was a celebration not just of the individuals who were honoured that night but of the shared values in the legal profession. I would like to congratulate all who were honoured, and my thanks go to the Law Society, in particular, and those who organised the event.

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