Law Reform

Areas of interest:

Sentencing (particularly recidivism and holistic approaches incorporating education, rehabilitation and mental / physical health), criminal law generally, human rights, mental health.

Related studies:

Law, criminology, psychology, government, police studies, history, sociology and media studies. I took the opportunity at university to study every crime related subject that I could find. I have a Batchelor's Degree in Law, Honours in Law and an Arts Degree with Majors in Criminology and Psychology. 

Practical experience:

Harassment and Discrimination Officer – Tasmania University Union, Education Officer – Tasmania University Union, Volunteer - Hobart Community Legal Service, Committee of Management - Hobart Community Legal Service (President, Vice-President), Court Officer – Hobart Magistrates Court, Court Clerk - Hobart Magistrates Court, writing submissions on legislative reforms, policy development at the court, numerous legal education and reform initiatives at the Hobart Community Legal Service.

I chose to become a Court Clerk as I am passionate about law reform and sentencing. After gaining a theoretical understanding of crime, its antecedents and the law's responses through University, I wanted to see the system in action to better understand how it works (and when it doesn't work). Being a Court Clerk has given me great real world insight and valuable experience to build a career in law reform, research and policy upon.

Related skills:

Advanced research and analytical skills, high level statistical analysis, complex understanding of government systems, detailed knowledge of mental illness, detailed knowledge of law (specialising in Tasmanian criminal law and its application), in depth understanding of sentencing practices and principles current in Tasmania, network of legal contacts from which to source further specialised knowledge.

My law reform goals:

I have always dreamed of having the opportunity to use my specialised knowledge to better integrate community services aimed at offenders / people at risk of offending. My aim is to reduce recidivism thereby protecting the community from the harms associated with crime and also reducing the level of government intervention required in the future to manage such individuals. My initial focus would be on an analysis of education programs, work skills provision, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, ongoing medical intervention, mental health programs, probation services, parole services and community corrections.

The aim of such an analysis would be to provide an integrated, whole of government approach to reducing offending and recidivism. In practice, a system that could use front line services to identify people at risk of offending (or current offenders) and direct them to a coordinated service to address the main contributing factors to their offending behaviour. The most important component of the post-offence element of this plan is the targeted use of Probation and Community Service. This would compel offenders to complete drug and alcohol programs, education programs and psychological programs without the need for any changes to legislation or sentencing practices. There are individuals who cannot be diverted from a criminal career; for others the earlier and more targeted the intervention, the better the chance of success.