Update to the Profession – 18 September 2024

  •  It has been an extremely busy couple of weeks for the Law Society of Tasmania.
  • First, I want to acknowledge the hard work of the staff who have been very busy sending out ballots via post for the upcoming elections to be held in the South and the North-West.
  • The Executive Director, Luke Rheinberger, Vice President, Will Justo and I travelled to Perth for the period 4 to 6 September 2024. Will and I attended the quarterly meeting with Presidents from other states and territories around Australia.  Many states have an upcoming election and the Norther Territory have just had an election.  There is considerable concern over the criminal age of responsibility in the various states and in particular the Northern Territory whereby it is being proposed that the age be reduced to 10.
  • On 7 September 2024, the Executive Director, Will Justo, Rohan Foon and I attended the quarterly directors meeting of the Law Council of Australia. This coincided with the announcement from the Federal Government in relation to the funding for the ongoing partnership for the community legal sector.  The Government has confirmed its commitment to an ongoing five-year partnership.  There does remain some concern in relation to the amount of funding that is to be provided and whether it is going to have any significant effect on the sector.  One of the biggest discussions was around the legislation in relation to anti-money laundering.  Legislation has now been tabled, despite there being no exposure draft for public consultation.  The Law Society of Tasmania are concerned about this, and the effect it is going to have upon the profession in Tasmania.  We will be following this very closely and trying to provide updates as much as we can along with continuing legal education.
  • In the week commencing 9 September 2024, Hobart hosted the High Court of Australia. This is quite significant as the High Court has not visited Tasmania since 2016.  The Executive Director and I attended a reception at Parliament House on 9 September 2024 along with many other members of the profession.  The Law Society of Tasmania in conjunction with the Law School hosted an event whereby Justice Beech-Jones spoke about his journey ‘from Hellyer College to the High Court’.  On 12 September 2024, the Law Society hosted a cocktail party for all five visiting Justices.
  • On 10 September 2024, the Judicial Commission Bill was introduced to Parliament.

Julia Higgins
PRESIDENT