The peak body representing the legal profession followed the Victorian Attorney-General in demanding a strong, united and independent legal profession to work for the cause.

The Law Council of Australia aims to promote access to justice and general improvement of the law, said president John North last week. “For some time, the Council has been concerned about the erosion in legal representation in Australia and the detrimental impact this is having on the legal system and the delivery of justice,” said North.

He said he was especially concerned about improving legal services in rural and remote areas, and in Indigenous communities. “Legal services are as vital as medical services and the Law Council is looking at a number of initiatives, including ways to encourage young people from these areas to become lawyers and work in their home communities.”

North said that during his time in legal politics, “the world has shrunk”, so it was more important than ever to have a well thought out strategy for dealing with international law issues.