Retired magistrate Lisbeth Campbell to chair Law Reform and Sentencing Advisory Council

The ACT Government has appointed former magistrate Lisbeth Campbell as Chair of the 13-member Law Reform and Sentencing Advisory Council (LRSAC).

The new body will provide independent expert advice on sentencing and law reform in the ACT. It plans to meet for the first time in December.

LRSAC comprises representatives from key justice stakeholder groups and the community. It will report on law reform matters and advise on sentencing matters. The Government intends the first two referrals to be for examining the bail system, and sentencing for dangerous driving. The terms of reference for these are currently being developed.

Mrs Campbell retired in March after serving as an ACT magistrate for 25 years. Seven of the members, including Mrs Campbell, were appointed through a public recruitment process. The other members from the public recruitment process are:

• Dr John Boersig, Legal Aid ACT CEO, (legal assistance sector member)
• Joanne Chivers, (first nations community member)
• Dr Janet Hope, University of Canberra (academic member)
• Nadine Miles, Aboriginal Legal Service (juvenile justice member)
• Shobha Varkey (community member)
• Heidi Yates, Victims of Crime Commissioner (victims of crimes advocacy member)

Also serving as representatives of their office are:

• Bruno Aloisi, Acting ACT Corrective Services Commissioner
• Tim Dingwall, ACT Law Society representative
• Neil Gaughan, ACT Chief Police Officer
• Keegan Lee, ACT Bar Association representative
• Dr Penelope Mathew, President of the ACT Human Rights Commission
• Anthony Williamson SC, Acting ACT Director of Public Prosecutions.

Quotes attributable to Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury:

“The make-up of the new Law Reform and Sentencing Advisory Council is diverse, and draws together people from the justice sector, academia, and the wider community.

“The 13-member council will play an important role in considering our laws and recommending reforms to ensure that they remain current and are responsive to emerging issues and community expectations.

“By working collaboratively, the council will make informed recommendations to government for systemic improvements on issues that matter to Canberrans.”

“The Government intends the first two referrals to the LRSAC to be: an examination of the ACT’s bail system; and sentencing for dangerous driving offences. The terms of reference for these referrals are currently being finalised.”

Quotes attributable to LRSAC Chair Lisbeth Campbell:

“I am genuinely delighted to accept the position as inaugural Chair of the Council.  It provides an opportunity for me to continue to be involved in the justice system of which I have been a part for 25 years.

“Our decisions and recommendations will be grounded in a thorough and unbiased evaluation of the pertinent issues based on sound evidence and analysis. It’s important to emphasise that our work will be uninfluenced by political or extraneous considerations and, in my case, by any immutable predetermined views.

“I am confident, bearing in mind our diverse backgrounds and community connections, that the Council’s decisions will be informed by a comprehensive understanding of general concerns in relation to individual issues.”

“Where there is a gap in that understanding, I will ensure that there are opportunities for interested parties to make submissions to the Council and to speak to their submissions at public hearings I will hold next year.”

“It’s my hope that, by building a reputation for timeliness and expertise as well as for its commitment to impartiality and objectivity, the Council can establish itself as a respected source of advice on law reform in the ACT.”