Droppert, Graham --- "President's page: The year that was" [2020] PrecedentAULA 65; (2020) 161 Precedent 3

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THE YEAR THAT WAS

By Graham Droppert

This is the final edition of Precedent for 2020. What an unexpectedly confusing and unsettling year it has been. Nonetheless, many positive things have also taken place.

The Advancing Women in the Law policy was launched in October by Laura Neil, a former ALA National President and leading member of the Queensland Bar. The proactive and educational elements of the policy received national media coverage.

The Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is working well; I see a maturation of understanding as to the significance of the RAP and increased commitment to its implementation. I am sure that the ALA and its members will do a much better job due to the guidance provided by the RAP.

We have been lucky to have Precedent published throughout 2020. There is no doubt that it is a quality publication on current issues. I thank all of the contributors throughout the year, including those who have joined in dealing with the complex issues surrounding criminal law in the current edition. The weekly newsletter ALAn is produced by Policy and Marketing Assistant Indrani Kothiyal and the national office team with regular input from members. It keeps us up-to-date with ALA activities, provides articles and case notes, and much more. I look forward to dipping into ALAn every week.

Seminars, webinars and even some live conferences have continued throughout 2020. Providing quality legal education is one of the central functions of the ALA and we have kept the wheels turning this year. A full program in 2021 will be a real reward for members, sponsors and contributors.

Campaigning continues to be a central focus of the ALA’s activities. We are pushing hard to alleviate Centrelink/Medicare recovery delays, even though it seems be a low priority for some in government.

Over 50 submissions to and/or appearances at royal commissions, inquiries and hearings have occurred. They include submissions on workers’ compensation, institutional child abuse legislation, insurance costs, age of criminal responsibility, and much more. We could not have achieved this without the tremendous work of Policy and Advocacy Manager Dr Louis Schetzer and all of the ALA representatives.

Our submissions to the Royal Commission into Abuse of People with Disability and to the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS have highlighted the major deficiencies in care and assistance, and some of the systemic failures for those with disability.

Cooperation and collaboration in Queensland between lawyers, health professionals, trade unions and others led to a commitment by all major parties in Queensland to maintain common law rights for injured road users.

Recently, I had a look at the restrictions in the South Australian Civil Liability Act 1936. That the pain and suffering of an injured South Australian is worth 30–50 per cent less than that of an injured Western Australian or Queenslander is a disgrace. That gratuitous services are recoverable for care assistance from a parent but exclude care from a sibling or grandparent only serves to benefit insurers, while hurting the injured person and their family. It seems to me that it is time for a campaign to obtain fair and just compensation for road users in South Australia.

Our first virtual AGM was held in October, and it featured the launch of the Advancing Women in the Law policy. The AGM was followed by the invaluable Annual Case Review, presented in-person in Sydney by Dr Andrew Morrison RFD SC and Richard Royle.

The assistance of all staff in ensuring the AGM went smoothly is much appreciated.

I extend my compliments of the season to all ALA staff and members. To our Victorian colleagues, a special congratulations for having continued to serve the public in what was a tough six months. Hopefully 2021 will see us applying the lessons of 2020 as we bring back the best of the pre-COVID era.

Graham Droppert is a barrister practising from Albert Wolff Chambers, Perth, specialising in personal injury and medical negligence. PHONE [phone] EMAIL [e-mail].