President: Jennifer Caldwell | Vice-President: Linda Robinson
In May, AWLA hosted a corporate wellness seminar which was well attended by nearly 100 members
The Mid-Winter Dinner was held in June with Hon. Justice Christine Gordon as the speaker.
The June newsletter detailed that the NZLS Women’s Consultative Group was currently focusing on a number of issues:
- They completed a “Going Solo” guide for practitioners considering setting up in sole practice;
- Developing a survey to gather quantitative information on the issues facing women practitioners;
- Investigating how a part time worker rebate for practising certificates could be implemented to address concerns about inequity in earnings based on earnings of part time workers;
- Seeking an increase to the income tax rebate available for childcare expenditure over $940 per year. The rebate had been set at a maximum of $310 since 1982; and
- Preparing submissions on the Legal Services Amendment Bill, Employment Relations (Flexible Working Hours) Amendment Bill and Evidence Bill.
The August – September newsletter detailed AWLA’s submissions on the Employment Relations (Flexible Working Hours) Amendment Bill 2005. “AWLA supports the intent of this bill to establish a statutory framework to provide for:
- An employee’s right to request flexible working hours in circumstances where they have young or dependent children; and
- A corresponding duty on employers to give formal consideration to such a request, measured against reasonable and specified grounds for refusal.”
In August, a financial seminar was held about growing, protecting and managing assets and the importance of “networking”.
In September, a panel discussion was held with Dr Judy McGregor, Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner.
The guest speaker at the annual Christmas Dinner was Jane Diplock, from the Securities Commission.