Post Voice activities
Senior Partner Mark Leibler co-chaired both the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Referendum Council, which culminated in the Uluru Statement from the Heart. As guest of honour at the firm’s 70th anniversary in August 2023, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged Arnold Bloch Leibler’s longstanding commitment to recognition and reconciliation more broadly, describing Mark’s role as “one of insight and influence”.
Although profoundly disappointed by the result of the referendum on the Voice, we recognise that hope remains and must be pursued for recognition, reconciliation and healing. Arnold Bloch Leibler will continue to walk in solidarity with Indigenous Australians and we re-committed to that journey in 2024.
As Public Interest Partner Peter Seidel wrote to Arnold Bloch Leibler staff in a firmwide email:
“We have consulted with a range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander friends and clients following the referendum. We are encouraged that, alongside the pain is a powerful determination to chart an alternative path forward that respects and supports First Nations Australians to overcome the intolerable gaps of opportunity and outcome, and to progress their inherent rights as the first peoples of these lands.
Regardless of the sorry outcome, the referendum process was of great value in raising awareness of Indigenous perspectives and of intergenerational Indigenous suffering and trauma, the failure of successive governments to effectively address these and the critical importance of respectfully listening, really listening, to the people affected.
No matter how people voted, there is now near-unanimous agreement that we need do things differently and that, as a nation, we will seize the momentum.”
After respecting the reflection and mourning period called for by Indigenous elders post 14 October 2023, momentum is now building in relation to the latter two elements of the Uluru Statement’s tripartite model– Voice, Treaty, Truth, and Arnold Bloch Leibler is considering how it can assist to further these priorities.
On 12 November 2024, the AISN circulated an email to all staff which provided information about the progress in Victoria, other states and nationally towards implementing Treaty. The AISN intends to send regular updates and hold educational events, including an event in early 2025, regarding the implementation of Treaty and Truth at state, territory and national levels.