President: Alicia Murray | Vice-President: Coroner Tracey Fitzgibbon
The 2018 theme agents of change was particularly pertinent given the prominence of the #metoo and #times up movements.
Hon. Justice Christine Gordon spoke at the annual President’s function.
AWLA sent an open letter to the NZLS supporting Catriona MacLennan’s comments about statements made by a Judge concerning domestic violence in a 2017 case.
The case involved the discharge without conviction of a man who had assaulted his wife, a male friend and his daughter. The Judge commented that the incident was a “nasty assault” however, “many people” would have done the same and the actions were understandable in the circumstances. The High Court has now overruled the sentence.
MacLennan criticised the Judge’s comments and the sentence imposed due to its “complete lack of understanding of domestic violence”, and said it is inappropriate for the Judge to continue on the bench.
After receiving a complaint, the NZLS Standards Committee investigated, ultimately finding MacLennan had an objective foundation for the statements and did not bring the administration of justice into disrepute. This decision was welcomed by AWLA, and other legal representative bodies including the New Zealand Bar Association, with the decision to investigate at all criticised.
AWLA submitted on the Equal Pay Amendment Bill under the umbrella organisation of Pay Equity Coalition Auckland. The submissions:
- Welcomed the inclusion of the agreed pay equity principles and the process for progressing a pay equity claim in the bill and recommended that the gender pay principles be included in the bill.
- Expressed concern that the bill needed further amendments to avoid further delays in the process.
- Recommended all employees be protected from reductions in terms and conditions because of a pay equity claim.
- Recommended consolidation of claims be agreed by all parties.
- Welcomed the duty to pay equitably to be placed on the employer and recommended increased penalties.
- Submitted that expertise and adequate resources be required for pay and employment equity and recommended increased resourcing of the Employment Authority.
- Recommended that provisions for an office tasked with the promotion of pay equity and equal pay be included in the bill.
- Submitted the duty to provide information did not go far enough and recommended that employers must disclose both individualised and aggregated data.
- Expressed concern that existing claims would be discontinued by the entry into force of the Act.
The Dame Silvia Cartwright lecture was presented by Stacey Shortall MNZM.
AWLA assisted the University of Auckland Women in Law group panel discussion regarding sexual harassment.
A panel about juggling work and family was hosted with Mary Lewis, Polly Pope, and Alicia Murray.
AWLA reviewed the NZLS Gender Equity Charter before its launch.