I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet and I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
I’m proud to lead a government that will give all Australians the chance to vote in a referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Constitution.
I know that Arnold Bloch Leibler has a longstanding and genuine commitment to reconciliation and recognition.
You put your values into action.
Your 30-year connection with the Yorta Yorta people, representing them in their landmark native title claim, is a shining example.
Back in 2008, you were the first Australian law firm to launch a Reconciliation Action Plan.
It grew out of your decades walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in pursuit of justice.
This year’s referendum is a chance to bring even more Australians with us as we take up the gracious invitation to walk together toward a better future.
We know when we listen to communities, we make better decisions and achieve better results.
Constitutional recognition through a Voice will ensure Government benefits from the perspective and experience of the people on the ground.
It will give us a once-in-a-generation chance to get better outcomes in health and housing and education and jobs.
To close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
As lawyers, you deal each day in logic.
So you’ll appreciate that if we continue to do the same things in the same way, we will get the same outcomes.
And we simply cannot risk more of the same.
We cannot accept that the status quo is good enough.
Mark, you’ve been involved in constitutional recognition for more than ten years.
Your role has been one of insight and influence.
In your words,
‘The proposal that will be put to the Australian people … is nothing short of a precious gift … a deeply unifying moment in our nation’s history.’
It’s this insight and perspective that has come to distinguish Arnold Bloch Leibler’s contribution to the debate.
The late Hal Wootten, QC, Supreme Court judge, and foundation president of the Aboriginal Legal Service, said:
‘Those on whom the law may bear harshly … need their champions in the law as elsewhere’.
Arnold Bloch Leibler has been that champion.
Your firm is a great Australian success story.
Your achievements have stacked up over the decades.
Your expertise refined in negotiation and strategy, commerce and contracts.
And through it all, Arnold Bloch Leibler has always served a higher purpose.
From the 1950s, when Arnold Bloch created a haven for the displaced, disempowered and vulnerable Jewish Holocaust survivors and refugees striving to build new lives in a new land to your enduring pro bono commitments.
You’ve never forgotten where you come from, you’ve never forgotten why you are here.
As your own Peter Seidel says, public interest law isn’t:
‘“After hours work”. It’s heart and soul; central to our culture as a firm.’
Thank you for your advocacy and your integrity over the decades – giving power to the powerless, and standing with the vulnerable.
For 70 years, you’ve played your part to make our society more just and more equitable.
For Arnold Bloch Leibler, there’s a lot to celebrate – and much to look forward to.
You’re an inspiration to us all.
So, happy birthday! And here’s to the next 70 years.
Enjoy the evening.