Taking it easy isn’t something which Pauline Wright gets to do very often, but the Central Coast solicitor managed a couple of weeks of relaxation with husband Jiri Kripac after she finished a 12-month term as President of the Law Council of Australia on December 31.
Her tenure came on the back of several years of involvement in a variety of legal bodies for Wright, a partner in Gosford-based firm, PJ Donnellan & Co.
She was President of the Law Society of NSW in 2017, which saw her involved in hand-over activities well into 2018, and in 2019 she was President of the Council for Civil Liberties.
“It was nice to have a little breathing space after what was an extraordinary year for everyone,” Wright said.
“I was proud to serve in a year which underlined human rights and civil liberties.
“I feel the legal profession really shone, stepping up during bushfire season with a lot of pro bono work and setting up clinics to help with insurance claims and access to government assistance.
“Then came COVID-19 and I think the profession can be proud it kept the wheels of justice turning during a very difficult time.
“It adapted to the changes in technology with agility, which is surprising in such a traditionally conservative profession.”
Wright established an information sharing group with the Attorney General and all Federal jurisdictions to keep the courts going during the pandemic, with a vast pool of volunteer lawyers joining with Law Society committees to maintain advocacy in key areas.
She leaves a legacy of hugely significant achievements.
She was instrumental in agitating for a Federal Charter of Rights for the protection of human rights and addressed the United Nations on representation for people in detention.
She spearheaded legislation to prevent people who have broken human rights standards in jurisdictions outside Australia being able to do the same here and helped in the defeat of a proposed amendment to the Migration Act which would have seen assets of those in quarantine while seeking asylum, such as phones, confiscated.
“I am also pleased that a lot of our recommendations during the Juukan Gorge Inquiry were adopted and that we were instrumental in formulating a National Action Plan to address sexual harassment in the legal profession,” she said.
“There is sexual harassment in many professions which are hierarchical by nature, where it is difficult to complain without fear of repercussion.”
Wright said she felt Australian governments at all levels had done well with balancing public safety during COVID-19 and protecting civil liberties.
“I think Australia did fairly well in this area, and many Law Council recommendations on restrictions, ensuring police did not overstep the mark in particular, were adopted,” she said.
Wright has also been a champion for reducing the number of incarcerations of Indigenous people, facilitating meetings with Aboriginal leaders through a series of webinars, the last of which will be held in February, with recommendations likely to ensue.
Following her brief break, Wright will return to her law practice.
“I have had incredible support while doing all my extra work, especially from fellow partner Robert Bird,” she said.
Wright will also be the Australian representative on LAWASIA, which promotes exchange of information in the legal fraternities of the Asia Pacific region, during 2021.
Terry Collins