BRISBANE LAWYERS TACKLE THE BIG ISSUE

SOME of the city's leading lawyers will take to the streets next week to raise awareness and funds for Australia's homeless, marginalised and disadvantaged.

During the first week of February, legal executives will sell street magazine The Big Issue, which has raised more than $19 million over the past two decades. 

Clayton Utz CEO Robert Cutler, Colin Biggers & Paisley Managing Partner Dunstan de Souza, Ashurst Vice Chairman Mary Padbury and Allens Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer Rod Fielding will take part in the campaign.

The lawyers will swap their business suits for The Big Issue's trademark fluro vest and sell magazines for half-hour selling sessions at various times and locations during the week.

They will be joined by sellers from the business world including Telstra CEO Andy Penn, PwC CEO Luke Sayers and Perpetual managing director and CEO Geoff Lloyd.

Politicians from around the country have also raised their hand to help out with Australian Greens co-deputy Leader Scott Ludlam, Federal Member for Melbourne Adam Bandt and Senator for the ACT Katy Gallagher taking part.

The initiative is part of the fourth annual International Vendor Week (February 1-7, 2016), which raises awareness for the 11,000 people who sell street papers in 35 countries around the world.

The Big Issue CEO Steven Persson says the campaign aims to break down stereotypes about homelessness and poverty.

"International Vendor Week aims to raise awareness for the men and women who are striving to better their lives by selling street papers," says Persson.

"This year marks the 20th anniversary of The Big Issue's launch in Australia. In the past two decades, the organisation has given more than 5000 people the opportunity to earn an income through magazine sales, putting more than $21 million into vendors' pockets."

The Big Issue hopes to boost sales to put $100,000 into vendors' pockets for the edition coinciding with International Vendor Week.

The week is run by the International Network of Street Papers (INSP), which supports 112 street publications around the world.

The Big Issue is a not-for-profit organisation that tackles homelessness and disadvantage by providing opportunities for people in need to earn an income. More than 10 million copies of The Big Issue have sold in Australia since its launch in 1996.