The Australian Bar Association has announced the election of a new Executive team for 2020-2021.
Matthew Howard SC, a past-president of the Western Australian Bar Association, has been re-elected as President of the ABA for a second one-year term. Dr Matthew Collins AM QC is joined by Kylie Nomchong SC as Vice Presidents. Peter Dunning QC remains as Treasurer as does Ian Robertson SC as chair of the Advocacy Training Council.
Matthew Howard SC, President of the ABA, said, ‘It’s an honour to have been re-elected as President for a second year, and I would particularly like to welcome Kylie Nomchong SC as a new Vice President. Kylie brings impeccable academic and professional credentials, and also a commitment to social justice and human rights that are especially valuable to the ABA as we tackle the challenges of the new year. 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 reflects the diversity and standards of the community which barristers serve.
“I am delighted that Dr Matthew Collins AM QC, Peter Dunning QC and Ian Robertson SC remain on the Executive, and would like to thank the 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. As we look to 2021, there are two specific priorities on which the ABA Executive will be focused.
“The first is to work, together with the State and Territory Bar Associations, to assist the nation’s courts and tribunals as they manage the administration of and access to justice in a post-COVID-19 world. 2020 has been a watershed for the justice sector and the courts have never worked harder or had such demands 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.
“The second is to ensure that the principles of diversity and inclusion that the ABA adopted in February 2020, and which it holds as core tenets of the profession, are supported by clear actions. We seek 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. 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” he said.
About the ABA
The Australian Bar Association is the peak body representing nearly 6,000 barristers throughout Australia. Established in 1963, the ABA is committed to serving, promoting and representing its members, as well as advocating for fair and equal justice for all.
