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The ALA: protecting justice, freedom and human rights for 21 years

20th Nov 2015

The Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA) has urged journalists and other public commentators discussing the Alliance to take care not to mistakenly create confusion with regards to other organisations which also use the ALA acronym.

This request has been made by Australian Lawyers Alliance national president Greg Phelps following the recent registration of a new and separate organisation, the Australian Liberty Alliance, as a political party also using the ‘ALA’ acronym.

“It is unsurprising that in Australia there are multiple associations that use the letter ‘L’ as part of the ALA acronym - the Australian Lawyers Alliance is one of them,” Mr Phelps said.

“For the past 21 years the Australian Lawyers Alliance has been at the forefront of protecting and promoting justice, freedom and the rights of the individual.

“Very recently the Australian Liberty Alliance has registered itself as a political party. It too is entitled to use the abbreviation ALA, as are others, such as the Australian Living Atlas, the Australasian Lymphology Association, Adult Learning Australia and the Australian Labradoodle Association,” Mr Phelps said.

“Whilst there can be no argument that all of these organisations might refer to themselves as ‘ALA’, the Australian Lawyers Alliance states that it is important that our organisation is kept clearly distant and distinguished  from the Australian Liberty Alliance and the views it espouses and that we are not confused with any other entity that bears the ALA acronym.”

“The Australian Lawyers Alliance is concerned that the views of Australian Liberty Alliance may cause division in the Australian community with tones of racism, intolerance and discrimination.  It is essential that our reputation is not confused or tainted with such views,” Mr Phelps said.

“We ask journalists and other public commentators – please exercise care when referring to the Australian Lawyers Alliance as the ‘ALA’ and please use the full name of our organisation to make clear the distinction.

“I respectfully request that the Australian Lawyers Alliance is not mistakenly confused with other organisations as such confusion has the propensity to undermine our important and longstanding work in standing for a fair go, and protecting and promoting justice, freedom and the rights of the individual,” Mr Phelps said.

Tags: Human rights