Advocacy on access to justice in rural, regional, and remote (RRR) areas
8 August 2025
Caption (L-R): Rebekha Sharkie MP at Parliament House, Mark Fenlon, Co-Chair of the Law Council’s RRR Committee, and
James Popple, Chief Executive Officer, Law Council of Australia.
On 31 July 2025, Mark Fenlon, Co-Chair of the Law Council’s RRR Committee, James Popple, Chief Executive Officer, and Policy Division staff met with Rebekha Sharkie MP at Parliament House. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Law Council’s Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt relief for RRR legal practitioners Position Paper and the urgent need for more resourcing for lawyers in regional areas, especially those delivering legal aid services.
The meeting offered an ideal opportunity to address the challenges encountered by RRR legal practitioners, and the communities they work in, while also exploring potential solutions. It was a positive step forward in advocating for the needs of RRR legal practitioners and promoting equitable access to legal services across various regions.
Caption: Mark Fenlon, Co-Chair of the Law Council’s RRR Committee.
On 1 August 2025, Mark Fenlon and Natalie Cooper, Senior Policy Lawyer, presented at the Australian Law Students’ Association Conference, held at the Australian National University. The purpose of the presentation was to speak to law students across Australia about the role of the Law Council, the priorities of the RRR Committee, and issues relating to the recruitment and retention of lawyers in RRR areas, including advocating for the RRR HELP debt relief policy. Attendees were particularly interested to hear about life as a RRR lawyer and how they can meaningfully participate in law reform and advocacy work once they join the legal profession.
Caption: Natalie Cooper, Senior Policy Lawyer, Law Council of Australia.
The Law Council will continue to seek out opportunities to raise awareness of these critical access to justice issues with Parliamentarians, Government Departments, and the broader community.
Last Updated on 19/08/2025