Alice Cashen, who currently works as the Associate Director, Criminal Law at Victoria Legal Aid, is set to take up the position on October 5.
Ms Cashen, originally from Adelaide, replaces David Gully, who retired as Deputy Commissioner earlier this year.
Prior to starting with Victoria Legal Aid, Ms Cashen has worked with both the Department of Premier and Cabinet and Department of Justice and Regulation in Victoria and taught at the School of Government at the University of Melbourne.
Ms Cashen was appointed following a nationwide recruitment search, and on recommendation of the interview panel comprised of the Electoral Commissioner, Mick Sherry, the Commission’s Risk and Performance Committee Chair, Patricia Christie, and the Queensland Electoral Commissioner, Patrick Vidgen.
In accordance with the Electoral Act 1985, Ms Cashen has been appointed to a term expiring 1 year after polling day for the second general election after the appointment is made. With state elections due in 2026 and 2030, the appointment is expected to end in 2031.
As put by Kyam Maher
Ms Cashen’s experience not just in public law, but in public administration will hold her in good stead to take up this important position with the Electoral Commission.
She has striven to improve access to justice for members of the community in her time with Victoria Legal Aid, and I’m sure her passion and advocacy will be important in supporting the work of the Electoral Commission in the leadup to local government, state government and other important elections – including the upcoming elections for the First Nations Voice to State Parliament.
I’d also like to thank David Gully for his exceptional two-and-a-half-decade long contribution to the Electoral Commission of South Australia.
He has done an outstanding job, working under numerous Electoral Commissioners, in supporting the Commission’s vital work for our democracy.
