Media Release: ATTORNEY-GENERAL ANNOUNCES FOUR NEW VCAT MEMBERS

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL

DATE: Tuesday, September 2, 2003

ATTORNEY-GENERAL ANNOUNCES FOUR NEW VCAT MEMBERS

The Attorney-General, Rob Hulls, today announced the appointment of psychologist and former broadcaster Terry Laidler, barrister Jane Hendtlass, and solicitors Emma Bridge and Ann McGarvie as sessional members of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

“I am delighted to be able to make these appointments to bring further diversity of backgrounds and skills to the important work of VCAT,” Mr Hulls said.

“I am confident that all four appointees will make significant contributions to VCAT over the next five years.”

Associate Professor Terry Laidler is an experienced media training and communications consultant and contributes to a variety of community and government organisations. He is a member of the Adult Parole Board and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health Council.

Dr Jane Hendtlass has been a barrister since 1995 and specialises in areas of traffic law, criminal law and licensing and disciplinary tribunals. Dr Hendtlass has been Director of Professional Standards for the Anglican Archdiocese of Melbourne since 2002 and is a member of the Board of Directors for Southern Health. She is active in numerous professional and community organisations such as the Criminal Bar Association; Liberty Victoria; Fitzroy Legal Service; and the International Commission of Jurists.

Ann McGarvie's legal background extends for more than ten years and most recently has been a solicitor with the Office of Public Prosecutions. She has worked as an Investigations and Standards Officer with the Legal Ombudsman, and lecturer in health services law at Monash University. From 1996 to 1999, she was a barrister and was a solicitor with Slater and Gordon form 1992 until 1996. She also spent a stint as technical adviser to award winning television programs Blue Heelers and Stingers.

Emma Bridge has been a Pre-hearing Conference Convenor at the Melbourne Children's Court
since 2000. She has an extensive community legal background and was a Senior Advocate at Victoria Legal Aid from 1995 to 1999. She previously was a solicitor/advocate at the Fitzroy Legal Service and the Legal Aid Commission in Preston. Emma Bridge holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Melbourne.

The Governor in Council appoints members to VCAT for a period of five years, with the VCAT President then allocating members to the various lists, based on their skills and experience.

The four appointees will be allocated to various lists that may include Anti-Discrimination, Occupational Business Regulation, Residential Tenancies, Civil Claims and Guardianship.