News & Events

For some reason, this week about 25 people raised with me the content of these In Brief messages. I’ve been struck by just how many people read them (and by how closely they read them). In the last three days alone, two current and two former Chief Justices have spoken to me about recent In Brief messages. In putting in the detail that I do, I aim to inform members about what is occupying us on Bar Council and in the Bar Office. Very often members get in touch with useful information knowing that we are currently focussed on a particular issue or that we are scheduled to have a meeting or attend any event with a particular stakeholder. All of this feedback helps us to respond to members’ concerns more swiftly and to make timely and effective representations to external stakeholders.

On Tuesday afternoon, Amanda Utt (Executive Director) and I attended a meeting of the Victorian Legal Services Board (VLSB) to update its members about the current operation of the Bar and foreshadow some of the projects we intend to seek funding for in the coming year. It was a very positive meeting. A number of board members asked insightful questions, particularly about how our more junior members are faring, post pandemic. It is clear the Board has a real interest in our members’ welfare and the resilience of their practices. Fiona McLeay, the Legal Services Commissioner who sits on the VLSB and is also its CEO, will be coming to meet with the Bar Council Executive to discuss the delegated functions we perform for the Board. The relationship between the Bar and the Commissioner and her office is strong, collaborative and open. It is working really well.

There has been a real focus this week on the Human Source Management Bill 2023. On Monday, I had a meeting with a joint VicBar/LIV working group, which was formed to draft a document specifying our concerns with the Bill. Sue McNicol AM KC, Alexandra Golding and Doug Porteous agreed to help, as did Tania Wolff, Adam Awty and Donna Cooper from the LIV. In very quick time, the team pulled together a comprehensive and incisive critique of the Bill which we have already been able to use in our dealings with the State Government, the State Opposition, and other legislators who are currently considering the Bill. My sincere thanks go to Sue, Alexandra and Doug, and to Tania, Adam and Donna (and their team at the LIV) for their excellent work. Along with the LIV, the Bar has expressed several fundamental concerns with the Bill, and its stance is shared by the Australian Bar Association and the Law Council of Australia. It is a critical issue. We will stay on it.