(Community Recognition Statement, 10 August 2022, Legislative Assembly, NSW Parliament)

On behalf of the Sydney electorate, I wish to congratulate the Public Interest Advocacy Centre on turning 40 years old. PIAC has been operating since 1982 and has fought passionately to build a stronger and fairer society by helping to change systems, laws and policies that perpetuate injustice and inequality. Beginning with just four staff members, PIAC has grown to 40 workers as well as interns, secondees and professional placements. PIAC is an independent non-profit organisation that works with marginalised communities and people who are facing disadvantage. PIACs work combines policy development, research and analysis, legal advice and representation as well as advocacy for public interest outcomes and policy change. Recently, PIAC has prioritised equality and non-discrimination, First Nations justice, reducing homelessness, fair use of police powers, climate change and social justice and government accountability, tackling these areas by exposing laws that entrench disadvantage, challenging decision-makers over unlawful or unfair actions and empowering people to initiate, inform and influence positive change. I thank all those associated with PIAC for their impressive work and commitment to social justice, equality and consumer rights for 40 years.