Queensland Law Society’s connection with its Pacific neighbours continues to flourish with a visit from Papua New Guinea Law Society Acting Secretary Tauvasa Tanuvasa, who described QLS as impressive.
Mr Tanuvasa met with QLS Chief Membership Officer Rachel Young and Director Advocacy and Legal Policy Binari De Saram at Law Society House this month.
He said the purpose of the visit “was to see the physical set-up of the QLS, meet the team and understand a bit more about QLS’s administrative structure and business processes”.
“Also to explore opportunities where the QLS can assist the PNGLS build its capacity in areas like administrative structure, business processes, compulsory CLE, regulation of lawyers, networking with other law societies and so forth,” Mr Tanuvasa said.
“I was quite impressed during my visit and could already envision the great potential the PNGLS would have in emulating the QLS model as a peak representative body providing leadership, guidance and support to not only its members but also to Papua New Guinea generally as a voice on matters that affect the country which involves transparency, accountability and rule of law.”
His visit follows QLS President Genevieve Dee and CEO Matt Dunn’s recent representation at the official opening of the Waigani Court Complex in PNG which was part of the 50th anniversary of independence.
Binny said the meeting was a collaborative and collegiate catch-up with the law societies having a memorandum of understanding in place.
“It is important to understand the challenges our neighbouring law societies face and celebrate our similarities and successes,” she said.
“The exchange represented a mutual commitment to strengthening legal institutions throughout the Pacific and to advancing the development of professional legal communities across the region.
“Our meeting was an important opportunity to collaborate on issues impacting both law societies such as access to justice.”
Immediate Past President Rebecca Fogerty focused on working closer with neighbouring South Pacific law societies and courts during her presidency last year.
QLS met with Nauru Law Society’s President Barina Duburiya in September and the Tongan Law Society President Lopeti Senituli last year.
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