Week 7 Update

Thankyou for subscribing to the Monash Law Students’ Society Social Justice and Equity Mailing List. Through these updates, we will endeavour to keep you informed of the latest events, opportunities and information for you to enrich the scope of your law studies.

1. Pro Bono Guide Launch

Date: 21st April
Time: 1pm
Place: LSS Basement
Cost: Free, but bring your keyring to pick up a copy of the guide.
** Please bring your laptop in case we run out of copies and USBs!

The 2010 Monash Law Students’ Society Pro Bono Guide is a fantastic resource for law students to help out in the community while gaining vital legal skills and legal experience.

The Pro Bono Guide includes sections and profiles on community legal centres, specialist organisations, local and international internships, the pro bono departments of corporate law firms and more.

Whether you are a fresh- faced first year student, or a final year student who will soon bid farewell to law school and enter the working world, the guide details the large range of opportunities that seem so difficult to track down in your own time. It is an absolute must-have for every law student!

This year, the sponsors of the Pro Bono Guide this year are Allens Arthur Robinson and Clayton Utz. As such, there will be representatives from Allens Arthur Robinson present to mingle with students. Nicky Friedman, the National Head of Pro Bono and Community Services for Allens Arthur Robinson, will give a short speech to formally launch the guide.

There will also be free food and drink provided at this launch! In addition to this, we have a few USB keys to give away (courtesy of Clayton Utz) to a few keen beans!

2. VCLSS Women in the Law Breakfast

Date: Friday the 23rd of April
Time: 7.00 am- 8.30 am
Location-RACV CityClub, 501 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Cost: $20

In 2010, The Victorian Council of Law Students’ Societies again presents the annual Women in the Law Breakfast. Many Monash students find this an invaluable opportunity to mingle with members of the profession and share insights on the realities of gender and legal practice.

This year’s event is being organised by Melbourne University, and it is shaping up to be thought-provoking, entertaining and delicious!  Guest speakers during the breakfast will be; Rachel Doyle SC, a leading light in the Bushfire Commission, as well as Judge Felicity Hampel, who has spent years travelling the globe practising human rights law before settling back in Melbourne to fight injustices at home.

So come along for a morning of illuminating and inspiring discussion, a chance to mingle with leading lights in the law profession, and a scrumptious breakfast of pastries, toast, eggs and more!

Tickets for this are just $20, and can be purchased from the Monash LSS Office (cash only). Please note that there is no need to arrange tables; you will simply receive a ticket and be able to choose your own table and seat at the breakfast. While the event has a focus on female law students, it is an open event and anyone is invited to attend. All family and friends are welcome too!

3. Annual Castan Centre Conference: ‘Human Rights 2010’ (16 July)

The Castan Centre is proud to announce that Human Rights 2010 will be held on Friday 16 July 2010 at the State Library of Victoria.  

Registration is now open (see below).  The 2009 conference sold out a month in advance, so be sure to get in early to secure your seat.

Session 1 – The changing face of Australian human rights laws

The right to equality and the right to freedom of religion - not absolutes!
Dr Helen Szoke, Commissioner, Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

Charters of rights in Australia: recent developments and prospects
Mr Phil Lynch, Director, Human Rights Law Resource Centre

Session 2 – Current human rights issues in Australia

The race to the bottom: Understanding why our political leaders won't lead on refugee debates
Associate Professor Peter van Onselen, Contributing Editor The Australianand Faculty of Education and Arts, Edith Cowan University

Indigenous rights: where to after the National Human Rights Consultation?
Ms Megan Davis, Director, Indigenous Law Centre, University of New South Wales

Say ‘YES’ to same sex marriage in Australia’
Dr Adiva Sifris, Faculty of Law, Monash University

Session 3 – Limiting Freedom

The Rise of China and human rights
Mr John Garnaut, Fairfax China Correspondent

Internet Freedom [title to be confirmed]
Mr Iarla Flynn, Head of Public Policy and Government Affairs (Australia/NZ), Google

Session 4 – Human Rights - the latest from the UN

How the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities can improve the lives of those living with a disability
Professor Ron McCallum AO, Chair, UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Professor of Law, Sydney Law School, University of Sydney

Climate change and human rights: whose rights, what protection?
Dr Jane McAdam, Director of International Law Programs, Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law, University of New South Wales

Registration:

Registration costs for the conference will be:

4. Legal Aid Rally

Those interested are encouraged to join a rally outside the County Court in Melbourne in support of legal aid. The rally will be held from 9.15 am to 10 am on Wednesday 28 April.

It is being co-ordinated by the LIV, VicBar, PILCH, Women's Legal Service and FCLC to lobby for increased Federal and State funding for legal aid in the May Budgets.

Victoria receives the lowest per capita legal aid funding of any state, and this had lead to the introduction of overly restrictive means and merits tests that exclude many people from receiving legal advice and representation. 



Family law has been particularly hard hit, with Commonwealth assistance reduced by 30 per cent over the past two years. Criminal law is also heavily affected. Legal organisations are calling for a $43.2 million increase in this year's Federal Budget. 



Come and show that Legal Aid Matters to you on Wednesday 28 April.