LLB, BA (SUT)
Neane Carter
Senior Solicitor
Expertise
Neane is a proud Dja Dja Wurrung, Yorta Yorta, Wamba Wamba, Wergaia, and Wotjobaluk woman from northern and central Victoria. Neane grew up on Wamba Wamba Country (Swan Hill) and now lives in Naarm/Melbourne. Neane draws on her cultural knowledge and connection to ensure her clients receive culturally informed and appropriate advice. She creatively weaves solutions for her clients utilising a system that was established to oppress them. Where the western legal system has been used as a weapon against community, Neane now uses it as a tool to advance and elevate community.
Experience
Neane was admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria. She holds an unrestricted Legal Practising Certificate and is a member of the Law Society of New South Wales. Prior to arriving at Terri Janke and Company, Neane was appointed as an Associate to his Honour Judge Purcell in the County Court of Victoria.
Photo by Stephen Wilson Barker
Recent Projects
Engaged by Office of the 24hr Economy Commissioner to support integration of First Nations storytelling in the refreshed NSW 24-Hour Economy Strategy.
Developing and delivering Guarding Governance® which combines good governance practices with Indigenous cultural governance considerations.
Advocating for policy reform and advancement of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) to the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Inquiry into the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, through developing written submissions and giving evidence at the parliamentary enquiry.
Engaged by State Library Victoria to lead consultations with public libraries staff to determine cultural competency and cultural safety in the public libraries sector, and to develop a concluding Cultural Competency and Cultural Safety Report.
Assisting Anika Valenti with the implementation of the Victorian Traditional Owners Native Food and Botanicals Strategy. In consultation with Traditional Owner groups, Neane assisted in developing a best practice industry Cultural Protocol and Access & Benefit Sharing Framework and Agreement. Neane also assisted in developing the Cultural Protocol factsheet and ABS factsheet.
Empowering clients through presentations and workshops, advising on commercial matters and developing best practice documents.
Awards
Indigenous Lawyer of the Year (Women in Law Awards) 2024
Rising Star (Australasian Lawyer) 2024
Community Work
Neane has a strong connection to her culture, community and Country which she continues through cultural practices. She is a coil weaver which has been passed down by Aunty Marilyne Nicholls through her maternal line, with her work having been featured in exhibitions. Neane is also a cultural dancer through her paternal line. She is involved with her Djaara community through participation in Wartaka (working group) on specific cultural matters and speaking at cultural immersion events.
