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New executive team announced for Australian Bar Association
The Australian Bar Association has announced the election of its new executive team for 2021, consisting of a number of high-profile barristers.
Naomi Neilson
Western Australian Bar Association’s past president Matthew Howard SC has been re-elected as president of the Australian Bar Association (ABA) for the second year. He is joined by vice-presidents Dr Matthew Collins and Kylie Nomchong SC, treasurer Peter Dunning QC and Advocacy Training Council chair Ian Robertson SC.
“Kylie is part of an executive team that is committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion and will help ensure that the ABA will reflect the diversity and standards of the community which barristers serve,” Mr Howard said.
He said he is also delighted that Dr Collins, Mr Dunning and Mr Robertson will remain on the executive council and would like to thank outgoing vice-president Michael McHugh SC for his “dedicated service” to the ABA.
“The year 2020 has been an exceptionally challenging one for our community, for the justice sector, and for the members of our state and territory Bars,” Mr Howard said, adding that there are two priorities to look forward to in 2021.
The first is to work with state and territory bars to assist the courts and tribunals as they manage the administration of and access to justice post-COVID.
“2020 has been a watershed for the justice sector and the courts have never worked harder or had such demand placed on them. The ABA is committed to supporting the courts and the profession to meet the challenges that the justice sector faces, so that justice is accessible to all those in our community who seek it,” Mr Howard said.
The second is to ensure that the principles of diversity and inclusion that the ABA adopted in February 2020 are supported by clear actions. Mr Howard said he is seeking to build a “collegiate and inclusive national association of barristers”.
“The Australian bar should reflect the diversity of the Australian community it serves. This means ensuring that all forms of sexual harassment, bullying and intimidation are expunged from our profession,” Mr Howard said.
“This is no more than what the principles of justice, integrity equity and the pursuit of excellence upon which the independent Bars are founded require.”
Naomi Neilson
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
You can email Naomi at:
