b'COMMUNITY| LEGAL SECTOR| 2022SUSTAINABILITY INSIGHTRECONCILIATION IN AUSTRALIA88 per cent believe their organisation has a clear public stance against racism68 per cent believe their organisation has processes to deal with racism towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff78 per cent believe their organisation shows a strong public commitment to reconciliation65 per cent have personally witnessed senior leaders speak passionately about the importance of reconciliation in the workplaceCareer Trackers, supported by eight AusLSA members, and Tarwirri, the Indigenous Law Students and Lawyers Association of Victoria are two examples of programs aimed at increasing the number and inclusion of First Australians in the legal sector.2022 AusLSA Member PerformanceThe last three years have seen a significant increase in reconciliation commitments and activities by AusLSA members. This year, eighty-eight per cent of reporting firms either have a reconciliation strategy or have one in preparation. This is an increase from sixty-six per cent over the last four years with 92 per cent willing to share their policies publicly. Eighty-nine per cent of these firms had formal management structures in place to implement their policies and report progress. This is an increase from seventy-seven per cent in 2019 with the management mechanisms in place including partners and directors and with eighty per cent involving in house committees.Sixty-one per cent of firms had developed a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2022 that had been accredited by Reconciliation Australia, which has increased from 54 per cent last year and from 42 in the last four years.While there is a high level of participation in these programs by firms that are implementing Reconciliation Action Plans, many other law firms are still showing their commitment through a focus on specific programs and initiatives.This years most significant change was the increase in firms providing pro bono services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. In two years, the number of firms providing pro bono services increased from 17 to 32 in 2021 (or from 55 per cent to 82 per cent of firms). This growth in pro bono support from firms and their lawyers shows a building level of understanding and compassion for the needs of Indigenous groups and persons, which has been boosted by discussions about the Voice to Parliament, various truth telling processes in different states and also local exposure of the enduring Australian deaths in custody crisis.All reporting firms were involved in reconciliation-related programs, initiatives and events to raise awareness and provide recognition of reconciliation and the issues and barriers that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples face. On average, firms undertook an average of eight activities each in 2022, which has increased from six last year and three in 2019.An additional five firms participated in NAIDOC Week activities this year, taking up to 87 per cent of firms. This was the most popular initiative, followed by 77 per cent of active firms that provided Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness training. Participation in other initiatives also grew again this year, including National Reconciliation Week activities79 per cent, scholarships and student mentoring49 per cent, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment and internship programs62 per cent, affirmative procurement programs44 per cent, finding or donations62 per cent and structured collaboration for reconciliation49 per cent.Challenges and Opportunities The legal sector needs to accept a responsibility to both participate and lead toward achieving the reconciliation goals. Perhaps the highest-profile reconciliation activity in the next two years will be the proposed national referendum on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Like the national referendum on Marriage Equality, the public discussion around reconciliation will show both the best and worst of our community and expose Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to a range of positive and negative comments and experiences. This is the time for AusLSA members to provide leadership and demonstrate their values to their customers, staff and the broader community. This can be done by ensuring that the firms position is well-informed, in the best interests of indigenous Australians and shared. Firms should already be anticipating and discussing the opportunities to support their indigenous partners through this process. Having plans and policies is an important part of the challenge but strong leadership, commitment, and transparency are possibly the most important factor in changing established beliefs, behaviours and outcomes. In businesses this requires deeper 60'