V15 New Attorney General Hon Nicola Roxon

Some interesting information about our new and first female Attorney General, The Hon. Nicola Roxon MP.

• has a history of being the Shadow Attorney General in 2003 to 2006 under Mark Latham. 

• has an avowed particular interest in " fairness before and access to the law", " fairness and decency, generosity, having a go and helping others", "humanity, fairness and security", as well as believing " vehemently in fairness, equity and independence".  she ended her talk by accenting " equal access to all"At the recent ALP Conference

• was a Union Organizer and was very interested in workers problems.

• as a Feminist and a Republican she is interested in women's issues and also has an interest in Human Rights and Equality issues. Nicola is married with one child.

• appears to be a pragmatic reformer and rather a bold one in taking on the Tobacco industry

• has a history of working as a Justice Associate to the Hon. Justice Mary Gaudron, High Court of Australia 1992-94.

It is also interesting that our New Attorney General sat on the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee from 8.12.98 to 8.10.01 and from 2.12.04 to 6.2.07.  During those days, Celebrants often raised issues of legality and constitutionality with Senate Estimates Legal and Constitutional Affairs to some success of at least having our voices and questions being heard.

At the time of change in our sector, we certainly hope  the new Attorney General can indeed combine 'fairness, equity and independence" with "pragmatic' reform in address the Marriage Act and Regulations and its impact on all Marriage Celebrants.

Rona Goold
CCN Inc Chairperson