1st Kennett Ministry

NEWS RELEASE
http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/web_notes/pressrel.nsf/7df5a5c6ccb1c3c14a2562a6007e8b7e/1b399aaf0606ec014a2562b400006960





From the Office of the Attorney-General


January 16, 1996
GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO APPOINT WOMEN TO COUNTY COURT


The Victorian Government has appointed a fourth woman as a judge of the County Court, Attorney-General, Jan Wade, announced today.

Mrs Wade said that when the Coalition came to power in October 1992, there had been no women appointed to either the County or Supreme Courts.

The Government is continuing to fulfil its promise of appointing women to Victorias courts, Mrs Wade said.

Ms Marilyn Harbison (formerly Head), a partner in full time legal practice for the past 18 years, was appointed by the Executive Council this morning.

Mrs Wade said Ms Harbison had been chairperson of the Legal Aid Commission Appeals Committee, a member of the solicitors disciplinary tribunal, a conciliator under the Legal Profession Practice Act, an arbitrator under the Retail Tenancies Act, and since 1989, a member of the Victorian Law Institute Council and Law Institute Insolvency Committees. Ms Harbison is also the president of the Public Interest Law Clearing House.

Ms Harbison also has extensive knowledge of the building industry having been chairperson of the Housing Builder Association Limited Appeals Committee, a member of the Architects Registration Board, a lecturer in building law at RMITs faculty of architecture, and since 1988, chairperson of the Housing Guarantee Fund.

Ms Harbison completed her Bachelor of Arts degree with honours at Monash University in 1974, followed by a Bachelor of Law in 1975 and Master of Laws in 1982.

Ms Harbison, married with three children, will take up her position as a County Court judge on February 1.

Mrs Wade said the Government would continue to appoint highly qualified women to Victorias courts.



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