Filipino-Australian environmental lawyer Matthew Joseph Floro has been named in this year’s 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australians Awards held in celebration of the community’s powerful contribution to the country.
The Sydney-based son of immigrants from the Philippines joins this year’s list of 40 honorees under the age of 40 who are breaking down barriers, making a difference in their communities, and awarded in the 4th edition of the initiative that seeks to address under-representation of Asian-Australians in leadership positions in the country.
The 31-year-old senior environmental, planning and administrative lawyer was recognized in the Legal and Professional category and was honored for his work on climate change and environmental laws.
Floro has specialized in climate change litigation, advised on the environmental laws of all Australian jurisdictions, and advised Federal and State government departments, private companies, community groups, and individuals.
In a LinkedIn post about his award, Matthew Floro credits the Asian Australian Lawyers Association for the help to “find my voice and be truly proud of my culturally diverse background” after growing up as a person of color facing racism. He now heads the group as its National Vice-President.
He also currently serves as National President of the National Environmental Law Association and National Rapporteur for the Columbia Law School Sabin Center for Climate Change Law. He has led the Australian Law Students’ Association, Out for Australia Victoria, and the University of Queensland Law Society.
Matthew Floro was also named Australian Young Environmental Lawyer of the Year by the Law Council of Australia.
Floro and the other winners of this year’s edition of the 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australian Awards were honored at an awards ceremony and gala dinner in Sydney, Australia on October 4, 2022.
Filipino-Australian climate and environmental lawyer Matthew Joseph Floro is among the honorees of this year's 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australian Awards. @GoodNewsPinas_ https://t.co/cTjgYavVlz
— Margo Hannah (@MargoQuadra) October 14, 2022
The 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australian Awards is an initiative of Asialink at the University of Melbourne, the Australian National University, and Johnson Partners.
Now in its fourth year, the Most Influential Asian-Australian Awards initiative seeks to reshape the debate and confront Australia’s “bamboo ceiling” – the underrepresentation of Asian Australians in leadership positions.
Fil-Aussies recognized for their talent and making a difference in their communities include Canva founder Melanie Perkins, beauty queens Catriona Gray and Hannah Arnold, handball athlete Bevan Calvert and cliff diver Xantheia Pennisi, and author Mina Roces.
Filipinos worldwide receiving recognition include Filipino Canadians Edsel Mutia and Ida Beltran-Lucila, named among the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant awardees, and immigrant businesswoman Maria Nieves Santos-Greaves who overcame the odds including a hearing loss and won the 2022 Surrey Women in Business Awards.
SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below to Filipino-Australian environmental lawyer Matthew Joseph Floro for winning this year’s 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australian Awards!
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