[1989] Reform 48 with Maori needs. (NZH, 30 November * * * 1988) The most controversial recommendation, personalia according to the NZH (30 November 1988) is: Sir Ronald Wilson its advocacy of more culturally based rem­ Sir Ronald Wilson will retire from the edies. It pushes for a centre of cultural re­ High Court with effect from 13 February search and various tribal organisations 1989. Sir Ronald was appointed to the High which could increase acknowledgement of Court on 21 May 1979 as the first Justice of the relevance of Maori values and make the court to be appointed from Western Aus­ culturally based penalties for Maori of­ tralia. Prior to his appointment Sir Ronald fenders effective’. had been Solicitor-General of Western Aus­ essays on legislative drafting. The Adel­ tralia. It is understood that he will now de­ aide Law Review Association at the Univer­ vote his energies to his other roles as Pres­ sity of Adelaide Law School has published a ident of the Uniting Church in Australia and book in honour of Mr JQ Ewens, CMG, Chancellor of Murdoch University. CBE, QC, the former First Parliamentary The Hon Justice Michael McHugh Counsel of the Commonwealth. The book, entitled Essays on Legislative Drafting, is Justice McHugh will fill the vacancy on edited by the Chairman of the Law Reform the High Court created by the resignation of Commission of Victoria, Mr David St L Kel­ Justice Wilson. His appointment will take ef­ ly. John Ewens, now 81, has also been ad­ fect from 14 February 1989. Justice McHugh, visor to the Woodhouse Inquiry into Nation­ formerly of the New South Wales Court of al Rehabilitation and Compensation, drafts­ Appeal and Supreme Court, was elevated to man and advisor to the Norfolk Island Ad­ the Bench in 1984. Justice McHugh had built ministration, part-time Commissioner of the up an extensive practice during his career at Australian Law Reform Commission and the New South Wales Bar, particularly in the consulting legislative counsel, consultant to areas of defamation and constitutional law. the Victorian Law Reform Commission in its He was one of the recognised leaders of the work on plain English and a consultant legis­ Bar, having acquired a leading practice in ap­ lative counsel for the Constitutional Com­ pellate jurisdictions, including that of the mission. High Court of Australia. In 1983 Justice McHugh appeared as counsel for the federal choice of law rules. On 16 December 1988, Government in the Royal Commission on the Federal Attorney-General referred to the Australia’s Security and Intelligence Agen­ ALRC questions relating to federal and Ter­ cies. He appeared as counsel for the appli­ ritory Choice of Law Rules. The Commission cants in the applications for special leave to has been asked to examine whether the States appeal to the High Court brought by the and Territories should continue to be treated Chamberlains. JusticeMcHugh left school at as foreign countries for the purpose of choice the age of 15 and took up a variety of jobs un­ of law rules or whether some different choice connected with the law. He studied at night of law rules is more appropriate within a fed­ to pass the Leaving Certificate examination eration. It has also been asked to examine the and, while working as a clerk, took the Bar­ impact of the recently enacted cross-vesting rister’s Admission Board examinations. He legislation on choice of law rules and was admitted to the New South Wales Bar in whether the rules on the recognition and en­ July 1961 and appointed as a Queen’s Coun­ forcement of inter-State judgment should be sel in 1973. From 1977 to 1984 Justice altered. The ALRC has been asked to report McHugh served on the New South Wales Bar by 30 June 1991. Council, becoming in succession Vice- [1989] Reform 49 President and President of the Australian Bar Appointment of Privacy Commissioner: Mr Association in 1983 and 1984. He is the co­ Kevin P O’Connor author (with Mr Justice Glass and Justice Mr Kevin O’Connor, 42, has been ap­ Douglas) of the standard work The Liability pointed the Commonwealth’s first Privacy of Employers in Damages for Personal Injury. Commissioner. Announcing this appoint­ The Federal Court of Australia ment the Deputy Prime Minister and Attorney-General, the HonLionelBowen Two new judges have recently been ap­ said, ‘It is a very senior appointment within pointed to the Federal Court of Australia. the Commonwealth Administration and re­ They are the HonJustice John VonDoussa flects the Government’s commitment to priv­ and the Hon Justice Donald Hill. Justice acy protection’. As Privacy Commissioner he VonDoussa’s appointment took effect on 1 is a member of the Human Rights and Equal December 1988. He is attached to the Adel­ Opportunity Commission (HREOC). Before aide Registry of the Federal Court, having his appointment, Mr O’Connor was a Deputy been a Judge of the Supreme Court of South Secretary in the Victorian Attorney-General’s Australia prior to this appointment. Justice Department. He has extensive experience in VonDoussa, 48, was admitted as a practition­ human rights matters and in particular, priv­ er of the Supreme Court of South Australia acy issues. He was a Principal Law Reform and the High Court of Australia in 1963. He Officer in the ALRC and worked extensively was appointed as a Queen’s Counsel in 1978. on the Privacy reference prior to his depart­ He was President of the Law Society of South ure in 1979. He was Secretary of the Victori­ Australia from 1982 to 1983 and Vice­ an Council for Civil Liberties and in recent President of the Law Council of Australia years has been a member of the Australian from 1984 to 1986. He has been a judge of the Delegation to the United Nations Commis­ Supreme Court of South Australia since sion on Human Rights. He has also been 1986. The appointment of Justice Donald closely involved in the development of the Hill as a judge of the Federal Court will take Victorian Freedom of Information legisla­ effect from 1 February 1989. He will be at­ tion. In the Victorian Attorney-General’s De­ tached to the Sydney Registry. Justice Hill partment he was Deputy Secretary, Legal was admitted to the Bar in New South Wales Policy Co-ordination and, since July 1987, in September 1976 and appointed a Queen’s Program Manager, Policy and Human Rights Counsel in 1984. He practised extensively in Program. From 1981 to 1983 he was a Barris­ matters involving federal jurisdiction, es­ ter at the Victorian Bar and has also held pos­ pecially taxation and administrative law and itions of Lecturer in Law, University of Mel­ commercial matters. He is a representative of bourne; Teaching Fellow, University of Illin­ the New South Wales Bar Association on the ois, College of Law; and Senior Tutor in Taxation Committee of the Law Council of Law, University of Melbourne Law School. Australia, a New South Wales State Council­ See also the article in this issue on Privacy. lor for the Taxation Institute of Australia and a member of the Editorial Board of Butter­ National Crime Authority worths Tax Service. He has previously held office as National President of the Taxation A new member of the National Crime Institute of Australia and Councillor of the Authority (NCA) has been appointed to di­ Australian Tax Research Foundation. He has rect the operations of its new Adelaide office. also lectured part-time on State taxes and He is Mr Mark Le Grand, former head of the Commonwealth sales tax at the University of Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecu­ Sydney. His publications include Stamp tion’s office in Victoria. His appointment Death Estate & Gift Duties and various ar­ took effect from 1 January 1989 for an initial ticles published including in the ALJ Tax­ period of 12 months. In announcing the ap­ ation in Australia and Australian Tax Review. pointment, the Attorney-General said that [1989] Reform 50 Mr Le Grand has an outstanding depth of recently retired as Director, Social Work in relevant experience in the investigation and the Department of Social Security (Cth) has prosecution fields, has been involved in pros­ been appointed a part-time ordinary mem­ ecutions since 1971 and with investigative ber. Ms Joanna Kalowski has been ap­ task force activities since 1976. The Attorney- pointed a part-time ordinary member. She is General of South Australia, Mr Sumner, said the Community Relations Co-ordinator at that an NCA office in Adelaide was the most the New South Wales Anti-Discrimination appropriate method of dealing with allega­ Board. Dr Gordon Urquhart has also been tions of corruption. His appointment follows appointed a part-time ordinary member. He recent amendments to the Commonwealth is the psychiatrist assisting the Mental Health National Crime Authority legislation pro­ Tribunal of Queensland. The following part­ viding for the appointment of additional time members have been reappointed: Dr members for specific purposes. Mr Le Grand, William Demaria, Dr Neville Davis AO and 43 has a Bachelor of Laws degree from Mel­ Mrs Helen Pavlin. bourne University. He was admitted to prac­ tice in the Supreme Court of Victoria in 1970 Family Law Council and worked as a prosecutor in the Office of Four new appointments have recently the Australian Government Solicitor in Mel­ been announced to the Family Law Council. bourne. He was legal advisor to the manage­ They are Ms Susan Gribben, Ms Jacinta ment committee of the Joint New South Heffey, Ms Belinda Powell and Mrs Mary Wales/Commonwealth Drug Trafficking Finn. Ms Gribben is a Barrister and Solicitor Task Force, senior solicitor to the Royal in Victoria who has, since February 1985, Commission of Inquiry into Drug Trafficking been employed by the Marriage Guidance in 1981 and was appointed as Deputy Direc­ Council of Victoria to develop and co­ tor of Public Prosecutions in Melbourne in ordinate a family mediation service for sep­ 1984. In 1986 he was appointed as general arating and divorcing couples. Ms Heffey has counsel to the National Crime Authority in been a magistrate in Victoria since July 1986 Melbourne and in 1988 was appointed First following 15 years private practice as a Sol­ Assistant Director, Major Fraud and Crimi­ icitor. Ms Powell is a Lawyer and Director of nal Assets Division of the DPP. Legal Services of South Australia. Ms Powell Administrative Appeals Tribunal has held office on a number of bodies in­ volved in health and education fields and was Several appointments have recently been this year appointed a member of the National made to the AAT. Mr Graham McDonald Legal Aid Representative Council. Mrs Finn has been appointed Deputy President. Prior is a senior Commonwealth public servant to his appointment, Mr McDonald, 40, was presently involved in the development of the Corporate Affairs Commissioner for child support legislation. She was seconded Western Australia. He replaces Mr RD to the Australian Law Reform Commission Nicholson who was recently appointed as a to assist in the Matrimonial Property Refer­ Judge of the Supreme Court of Western Aus­ ence. Mrs Finn was earlier this year ap­ tralia. Ms Wendy Purcell, 48 has recently pointed a member of the Films Board of Re­ been appointed a full-time senior member in view. She had a previous three year term on Adelaide. Prior to her appointment she was the Board of Management at the Australian the Registrar of the Family Court’s Adelaide Institute of Family Studies. Registry. Mr Roger Jennings QC has been re­ appointed as a part-time Deputy President of Administrative Review Council the AAT. From 1968 till 1983 he was Solicitor-General for Tasmania. Three new Mr Philip Flood, Deputy Secretary of the appointments of part-time ordinary members Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have also been made. Ms Ann Brennan, who and a member of the ARC since April 1986, [1989] Reform 51 has been appointed Australian Ambassador on Criminal Procedure since then. His work to Indonesia. covered the entire range of criminal pro­ cedure, and included the reports Unsworn Professor Helen Gamble Statements of Accused Persons and The Jury The Chairman of the NSWLRC, Ms in a Criminal Trial Other reports on which Helen Gamble, resigned in January 1989 to Mr Byrne was working will soon be released take up her appointment as Professor of Le­ by the Commission. He plans to practise at gal Studies at the University of Wollongong. the NSW Bar. Ms Gamble had been a full-time member of NSWLRC the Commission since March 1986, and Chairman since May 1987. As well as being There have been several re-appointments the Commissioner in Charge of all the pro­ of part-time members of the Commission. Dr jects within the Community Law Reform Susan Fleming was re-appointed until 31 De­ Program, Ms Gamble recently led the Com­ cember 1988, and the following part-time mission’s work on Artificial Conception, In­ members have been re-appointed until 30 formed Consent to Medical Treatment, the September 1989: Dr JW Carter, Mr JLR Assurance Fund, Alternative Dispute Resol­ Davis, Professor Brent Fisse, Mr Greg James ution, the Registration and Certification of QC, Ms Eva Learner, Mr Keith Mason QC, Births and Deaths, Evidence and Sale of the Hon Justice Jane Mathews, Professor Goods. She also played a major role in pro­ Colin Phegan, Mr Ronald Sackville, Mr HD moting co-operative projects among law re­ Sperling QC and the Hon Justice JRT Wood. form agencies in Australia. Further details of Mrs Carol Fletcher, who had been seconded her career appear at [1986] Reform 114 and to the Commission to work on the Criminal [1987] Reform 102. Procedure reference, rejoined the staff of the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions in Oc­ Mr Keith Mason QC tober 1988. The Solicitor-General for NSW, Mr Keith Mason QC, has been appointed Chair­ VLRC man of the NSWLRC for a period of 6 Five commissioners have left the Com­ months pending the appointment of a perma­ mission at the expiry of their terms. They are nent successor to Ms Gamble. Mr Mason, Dr Linda Hancock, Ms Sue McCulloch, Mr who will hold the offices of Solicitor-General Justice Jim Gobbo, Mr Tony Smith and Mr and Chairman concurrently, had been Chair­ Leigh Masel. The new members of the Com­ man of the Commission for a period of 2 mission are Mr Alan Rassaby, Ms Judy years until February 1987. Since his appoint­ Dixon, Ms Chris Richards, Mr Frank Paton ment as Solicitor General, Mr Mason has and Mr Robert Richter QC. Mr Rassaby di­ been an active part-time member of the Com­ rects the ongoing review of Victoria’s Health mission, contributing very significantly to a Legislation, which include in its terms of ref­ number of Commission references, including erence the Health Act, the Hospitals and Evidence, Sale of Goods, Contribution and Charities Act and the Drugs, Poisons and Artificial Conception. Further details of Mr Controlled Substances Act. He brings a corn- Mason’s career appear at [1985] Reform 83 temporary experience of developments in the and [1987] Reform 53. medicine, science and law to the Commis­ sion. Ms Dixon was previously the Member Mr Paul Byrne for Boronia Province in the Legislative The appointment of Mr Paul Byrne as Council. As chairperson of the Parliament’s Commissioner of the NSWLRC expired on Social Development Committee she had a 31 December 1988. Mr Byrne had been a full­ major part in developing a number of pieces time member of the Commission since June of the Victorian Government’s social legisla­ 1984 and has been in charge of the reference tion, and ensuring its adoption by parlia- [1989] Reform 52 ment. Her background in social development search Officer with the Committee, has re­ and her knowledge of the political process cently resigned. will be of great value to the Commission. Ms Richards is a solicitor with Slater & Gordon. * * * She has extensive litigation experience and comes to the Commission with a wide back­ ground in community legal issues. Prior to publications joining Slater & Gordon, Ms Richards was Australia the Executive Officer of the Federation of ALRC Community Legal Centres. She developed a • Report on General Insolvency In­ strong profile in that position, as an advocate quiry, 1988, No45. for citizens’ rights and civil justice. Mr Paton is a partner in the national firm of Sly & • Report on Grouped Proceedings in the Weigall. He is a former President of the Law Federal Court, 1988, No46. Institute of Victoria and continues as a Gen­ eral Council Member of the Institute. Mr NSWLRC Paton is also a member of the Victoria Law • Report on Liability for Injuries Foundation. His appointment will strengthen Caused by Dogs, 1988, LRC52. the existing close links between the Commis­ • Report on Representations as to Cred­ sion and the Law Institute. Mr Richter was it, 1988, LRC57. admitted to the Bar in 1971 and appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 1985. His primary area of VLCC practice has been in the criminal law area, • Thirteenth Report on Subordinate and has included prosecution work in tax­ Legislation concerning Police Gaols ation law for the Commonwealth. The Com­ Regulations 1988 (SR No73/1988) and mission has developed particular expertise in Correction (Firearms Amendment) the area of reform of the criminal law, and Regulations 1988 (SR No292/1988). Mr Richter’s appointment further enhances • Fourteenth Report to Parliament on that strength. There have also been changes Subordinate Legislation concerning in the staffing of the Commission. Bronwyn M.M.B.W By-Law No250: Trade Naylor, who was working part-time for the Waste (SR No285/1988). Commission whilst holding a tutoring pos­ ition at Monash, has been appointed to a law • Fourth Report to Parliament on the lectureship at that institution. Robert Smith Operation of Section 32 of the Inter­ has left the Commission to become solicitor pretation of Legislation Act 1984 con­ to the Alpine Resorts Commission, and part­ cerning Place Names Committee time firefighter on its behalf. (Members' Fees and Travelling Allow­ ances) Regulations 1988 (SR 251/1988). Victorian and Constitutional Committee The membership of the VLCC following VLRC the Victorian State elections is: Chairman, • Report on Sexual Offences Against the Hon DM Evans MLC; Deputy Chair­ People with Impaired Mental Func- man, the Hon Joan Coxsedge, MLC; mem­ ^ tioning, 1988, Nol5. bers: Mr KS Jasper, MP; Hon WA • Report on Sexual Offences Against Landeryou, MLC; Mr DJ Lea, MP; Hon RJ y Children, 1988, Nol8. Long, MLC; Hon Jean McLean, MLC; Mr VJ Perton, MP; Hon GA Sgro, MLC; Mr ER y • Annual Report, 1988, Nol9. Smith, MP; Mr KJ Thomson, MP; Hon Paul­ • Sexual Offences Against Children: Re­ ine Toner, MP. Ms Kirsty McIntyre, a Re­ search Reports, 1988.