Grace, Sarah --- "2023 Queensland Conference: 25 years striving for justice" [2023] PrecedentAULA 23; (2023) 175 Precedent 44

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2023 QUEENSLAND CONFERENCE

25 YEARS STRIVING FOR JUSTICE

By Sarah Grace

What I love most about being involved in the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA) is connecting for a common cause regardless of the firm we work at, wherever we are in our great state. The 2023 Queensland Conference in February was certainly an opportunity to embrace that collegiality. This was the branch’s 25^th Conference and, thanks to the ALA Events Team and our Continuing Legal Education Committee, we were fortunate once again to have an action-packed and insightful program.

There will always be much to do in this space we work in – that is, striving for justice. That can happen in big-picture ways, such as tackling youth justice challenges in Queensland and nationally, but also in very practical ways, such as those that the Queensland Committee has been focused on this year, including consultation with stakeholders regarding the introduction of claim farming provisions in the Personal Injuries Proceedings and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2022 (Qld) (PIPOLA) to stamp out that activity in both our personal injury and workers compensation schemes, and adding to the effectiveness of the changes to our Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 in 2019, which introduced anti-claims-farming provisions. In Queensland in February we saw our first successful prosecution.^[1]

None of this happens without the contributions of many wonderful people both within the ALA and our broader profession. These combined efforts safeguard the rights of Queenslanders and ensure the longevity of our common law schemes.

THE KEYNOTE

We heard from the Hon Helen Bowskill, sworn in as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland in March 2022, about the importance of wellbeing within the profession. We deal with heavy content in our professional lives every day, taking on a burden to deliver outcomes for those who cannot speak for themselves, often for many years without a significant break.

Her Honour’s message was that we must take time to look after our own physical and mental wellbeing to ensure we can continue to deliver and also have a balanced and full life outside of our professional pursuits.

CIVIL JUSTICE AWARD

I had the great honour of announcing this years’ Award to Gerard Mullins KC for his exceptional contribution to the ALA and the cause of civil justice in Queensland, Australia and internationally. Congratulations Gerry!

Gerry has been a truly active member of the Queensland branch of the ALA since 1998. It is unlikely that anyone has given more time, knowledge and dedication to the organisation.

Gerry is particularly noted for progressive law in the area of civil justice, working to change the way that legal argument can be used to better the lives of individuals. He has represented individuals and groups in a long list of high-profile cases, including Irving v Pfingst,^[2] the patients of Dr Jayant Patel and the Bundaberg Hospital Support Group at the Queensland Public Hospitals Commission of Inquiry,^[3] the families of the deceased in the crash of FZ981 from Dubai to Russia, and the relatives of Cameron Doomadgee to obtain compensation for his death in custody on Palm Island.^[4]

If advocacy is about sharing other people’s stories when they cannot speak for themselves, Gerry is the best storyteller around.

REFLECTION

Having attended over a decade of Queensland State Conferences, I can say it is always enjoyable to connect with our many wonderful sponsors and delegates and maintain those relationships that see us deliver as lawyers for the people.

Reflecting on the next 25 years, I know that how and where we meet may change, but the value of the contributions our members make to this profession will not, nor will our unity or commitment to deliver for our clients and safeguard the rights of everyday Queenslanders.

Sarah Grace is the ALA’s current Queensland President. Sarah works at Shine Lawyers in Brisbane and has worked solely in plaintiff personal injury law for over 15 years. Sarah has experience with motor vehicle accident claims, public liability claims, workplace accidents and historical institutional abuse matters. Sarah’s current and former roles have seen her lead a high-performance team culture with a focus on individual wellbeing. EMAIL [e-mail].

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^[1] Motor Accident Insurance Commission, ‘Brisbane Court issues fines exceeding $1M in Australia’s first claim farming prosecution’ (2023) <https://maic.qld.gov.au/brisbane-court-issues-fines-exceeding-1m-in-australias-first-claim-farming-prosecution/>.

^[2] [2021] QCA 280.

^[3] Keating v Morris [2005] QSC 243.

^[4] Hurley v Clements [2009] QCA 167; [2010] 1 Qd R 215.