Currently, nine practising members identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
The Victorian Bar Association has adopted the Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2025–27, which aims to maintain its commitment to promoting reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and help it meaningfully contribute to access to justice in general.
In the media release announcing its fourth reconciliation action plan, the Victorian bar said it envisions a legal profession in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can expect equal treatment when accessing justice, as well as join the state bar, feel valued and respected, and avail themselves of embedded support and equal opportunities to grow.
“As early as the 1970s, members of the Victorian Bar have worked together with Aboriginal people to fight for social justice,” wrote Magistrate Abigail Burchill (Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung) in her foreword.
“Members of the Bar have a long history of supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through pro bono work and support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice causes,” said Justin Hannebery, Victorian bar president, in the media release.
The Victorian bar noted that its initiatives have included offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander law students a mentoring program with judges and barristers as mentors and an annual paid clerkship program.
The Victorian bar considers the RAP’s implementation a strategic initiative to help increase the bar’s diversity and reflect the community served.
“There is an ever-increasing demand for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander barristers and for those who can deliver high-quality legal advice and representation in a culturally sensitive and informed manner,” Hannebery said.
With more than 2,270 practising barristers, the Victorian bar shared that nine practising members identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander in 2025, double the figure in 2019 and more than any other state or territory bar association.
In the media release, Hannebery explained that the Victorian bar built the fourth action plan upon the various commitments it has made since introducing its inaugural RAP in 2012.
The Victorian bar said it has made much progress and tackled problems in its path toward reconciliation over the past 13 years, through the efforts of its Indigenous Justice Committee (IJC) and RAP Working Group.
“The Bar continues to learn how it can actively listen to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations to gain better knowledge about their perspectives and experiences,” said Timothy Goodwin, IJC co-chair, in the media release.
The IJC aims to advise the Victorian bar as it strives to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander barristers in developing and establishing successful legal careers.
“While progress has been made, the journey towards reconciliation and equality in the legal profession is ongoing and the Bar looks forward to further leadership efforts to make an impact on the profession,” Hannebery said.
